Mahathir: 'One man one vote' not suited for Bersatu polls

The 'one person, one vote' system is not suitable for Bersatu party elections, says party chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Instead, Mahathir is looking at his old party, Umno, for inspiration for the party's inaugural polls scheduled for next year.

"'One man, one vote' is difficult. A better way I see is something like Umno's (election system), but with different criteria," Mahathir said in an interview with the press recently.

Umno practices an electoral college system, where a candidate who gets the most votes in a division gets one vote.

To stay as party chairperson

Mahathir's remarks come a month after party ally in Pakatan Harapan, PKR – which practices a 'one person, one vote' system – concluded a lengthy election lasting almost two months, which was fraught with problems and controversies.

Bersatu, formed in Sept 2016, has yet to hold party elections and all its office bearers – including Mahathir – were appointed.

As a result, Mahathir described Bersatu's second general assembly, which is being held today, as not "neatly arranged."

Meanwhile, Mahathir said he would likely stay on as party chairperson once he steps down as prime minister. -Mkini