MIC risking de-registration?

The party is risking de-registration for not acting against allegations of election misappropriation

PETAING JAYA: While constant internal bickering is common in all political parties, the problems in MIC, touted to be the largest Indian based political party in the country, is not only tearing the party apart but also bringing it to the brink of de-registration

FMT learnt that the party is being investigated by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) after a spate of reports by disgruntled leaders to the authority on the running of the party’s internal polls, including divisional elections, late last year

A source revealed that over 50 reports had been lodged against the party election to the ROS and “in the last three weeks ROS had investigated more than 20 party leaders and members”

“Taking the ongoing investigations into account, we cannot discount de-registration of the MIC. The ROS is expected to direct the party to hold re-election and if the current leadership is adamant not wanting a re-election, then we are looking at de-registration of the MIC,” said the source close to the party leadership

The MIC national election, held in Malacca on Nov 30, witnessed various election offences. While protests mounted on the running of the polls, the MIC central working committee earlier this month endorsed results of the polls.

The party disciplinary committee meanwhile is looking to punish disgruntled leaders who aired their dissatisfaction in the media soon after the polls.

Now, these leaders are saying that they are being victimised for asking a free and fair elections. They also want a re-election to set things right.

The November polls saw the election of three vice-presidents and 23 central working committee members.

MIC violated its constitution

The source said MIC chief G Palanivel cannot dispute that fact that the MIC election committee had run foul of the MIC constitution in conducting the polls.

“Firstly, not allowing the Putera and Puteri wings to vote in the election is a violation of the constitution. Secondly, the total number of voters exceed the number of ballots cast. Thirdly, more than 1,500 delegates voted and this is against the constitution which only allows 1,500 delegates to cast their ballots.

“The fourth point is that a non-delegate was able to cast his ballot with the consent of the president. Then you have some people who were not even authorised by the election committee counting and overseeing the tabling of votes.

“All these must be addressed by the party. Saying that the election went without a glitch and was fair is ridiculous. All the leaders, winners or losers, saw what transpired. They all know who is in the wrong,” said the source.

He further said Articles 74.1 and 74.2 of the MIC constitution states that the total number of delegates entitled to attend the General Assembly shall not exceed 1,500 at any one time.

“But, it was proven that the total delegates during the election was 1,523, which is more than that allowed under the party’s constitution.

“Article 70.3, on the other hand, clearly mentions that both Putera and Puteri wings must be given the right to attend and vote at annual general assemblies. But this was not the case last year. These two wings were barred from voting,” he added.

The case of a non-delegate voting he said, MIC’s central working committee member V Subramaniam has admitted that the person did indeed vote after a special request by deputy president Dr S Subramaniam, which Palanivel approved.

“Basically, it is ‘catch 22′ for Palanivel. Being a party president it is the time for him to decide whether to hold a re-election or allow the party to be de-registered,” said the MIC insider.