PAS election error: We nearly resigned, says election committee

However, PAS election committee chairman Asmuni Awi says that his team rescinded on their decision at the behest of the party leadership

SHAH ALAM: The election committee overseeing the PAS central committee election almost resigned from their posts following a technical bungle affecting the ballot papers yesterday.

However, party leadership stepped in and urged the committee members to stay put.

Speaking on the matter, PAS election committee chairman Asmuni Awi expressed his regret on the irregularity.

“As soon as we realised the technical error, all of us wanted to resign. However, we were entrusted by the party leadership to continue with our duty.

“We (the committee) then agreed unanimously that the voting process must therefore be continued,” he said.

Yesterday, what was supposed to be a voting process for the deputy president, vice presidents and central working committee members was marred after mistakes were found in the ballot papers.

It eventually resulted in the election taking place for the deputy president and vice president posts. Election for the 18 posts in the PAS central committee had to be held today.

Asmuni also took the opportunity today to apologise on behalf of the committee.

“Justice must be done and must be seen to be done. We will ensure the same mistake will not be repeated,” he said.

Commenting on the matter, PAS secretary general Mustafa Ali said the resignation was unnecessary after the committee admitted to their mistake and was ready to tender their resignation.

“These kind of mistakes happen to everyone. On that basis, on behalf of the leadership, we accept their apology,” said Mustafa.

PAS permanent chairman Abu Kassim Abdullah said what was most important is that the process has been successfully completed.

The voting process for the PAS central working committee members were completed at 11 am earlier.

“We give our appreciation and congratulate them on their accountability. You won’t find this kind of integrity in Umno and the Election Commission (EC).

“This kind of teaching can only be found in PAS. Realising your mistake is much better than continuing with your mistake,” he said.

Although the top party membership forgave the PAS election committee, Johor delegate Firdaus Masood expressed his hope that the same mistake would not be repeated again.

“We always trash the EC, but our election committee proved to be more or less the same. We hope this kind of mistake would not happen again in the future,” he said.