KUCHING, Nov 10: Incumbent Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali has taken the lead over challenger Rafizi Ramli after the first day of the party polls in Sarawak.
Based on early results, Azmin is ahead by 1,212 votes after receiving 2,212 votes to Rafizi’s 1,000 in 16 divisions that have successfully held its polls.
Azmin won in 12 divisions including Bandar Kuching, Lanang, Batang Lupar, Batang Sadong, Lawas, Saratok, Hulu Rajang, Kanowit, Kota Samarahan, Bintulu, Selangau and Baram.
Rafizi on the other hand, triumphed in Serian, Miri, Kapit and Sibuti. There are 31 divisions in Sarawak with polling to resume Sunday, Nov 11.
Earlier today, results of the polls in PKR Julau division had to be suspended following a “cyber attack” on its e-voting devices.
The party’s CEC chairman Datuk Rashid Din revealed that a `Prey Anti-Theft software’ infiltrated the 10 units of tablets that were used for the Julau party election.
The CEC and IT Unit personnel detected the e-voting system at Julau Election Centre as abnormal at 2pm. Following the situation, the committee made the decision to suspend the election results until all the tablets are rectified.
Julau has been embroiled in controversy due to a spike in membership, from about 600 in June 26 to over 13,000 a day later. However, the party leadership clears the division from allegations of impropriety over its sudden surge in membership.
PKR political bureau, which convened on Wednesday (Nov 7), found no breaches in the registration process and allowed the polls to take place.
Rafizi claimed that all Julau members are his supporters and due to the high number of Rafizi’s support in Julau, it has been described as a “king-maker” that could decide the fate of both candidates in their contention for the second highest post in PKR. — DayakDaily
