Primer on the PKR leadership election

 

The PKR leadership election will kick off today and run over the course of 10 days.

This article will briefly explain how the triennial election works and the positions that are up for grabs.

Which positions are open for election?

There is no contest for the PKR presidency as Anwar Ibrahim has been elected unopposed.

Between May 13 and May 22, party members will elect the following:

1. The division-level leadership

2. The deputy president and four vice-presidents of the Central Leadership Council (MPP)

3. The leader, deputy leader and four vice-leaders of the Women's Wing leadership

4. The leader, deputy leader and four vice-leaders of the Youth Wing leadership

The 20 executive council members of the MPP, Women's Wing and Youth Wing will only be elected during their respective annual general assemblies between June 24 and June 25.

Nominations for these executive council positions will only take place on May 28.

Why is the election held over so many days?

There are two types of voting for the PKR leadership.

The first is a one-person-one-vote system, where every party member gets to vote. This system only applies to the division level leadership, the top six positions of the MPP, the Women's Wing and the Youth Wing.

PKR is the only party in Malaysia which practices a one-person-one-vote system, overseen by the party's election committee, which is known internally as the "JPP".

The JPP will conduct in-person voting in different states on different dates.

May 13 - Terengganu and Kelantan
May 14 - Kedah, Johor and Sabah
May 15 - Pahang and Federal Territories
May 16 - Perlis, Penang, Malacca and Negeri Sembilan
May 21 - Selangor
May 22 - Perak and Sarawak

The party will also conduct online voting through the Adil smartphone application on May 17 for those living abroad and between May 18 and May 20 for other party members who choose to do it online.

The second voting system will only allow party delegates at the central, Women's and Youth wings congresses to vote on the 20 executive council positions for their respective bodies.

These delegates - numbering around 2,000 - will be chosen at the division level annual general meetings.

When will the results be announced?

According to JPP chairperson Zaliha Mustafa, the final results will be released "within 24 hours" of May 22.

However, it is expected that "unofficial" results will emerge after each voting session concludes.

As for the election of the divisional leaders, the results will be announced on May 23.

Will members be able to vote online and offline?

No. Those who have registered to vote online will have to wait until May 17 to May 20 to do so.

Others can only vote in person at their respective division headquarters. - Mkini