Chua Manivanan Win Pkr Divisional Race Upon Re Election

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Rawang assemblyperson Chua Wei Kiat has won the Selayang PKR divisional re-election today after one of his two rivals was disqualified.
He garnered 1,945 votes compared to 1,648 votes at the nullified April 12 Selangor PKR election, giving him a 252-vote majority over his opponent Wan Ibnul Bahar Wan Ismail.
Another prominent name in today’s re-election was political secretary in the PKR presidential office Manivanan Gowin, who garnered 571 votes to become the Jempol division chief.
His rivals - Asri Abullah and Mariappan Kattaiyan - secured 229 and 39 votes respectively.
The previous winner, who had 450 votes, had been disqualified.
The outcome of the race to be the division chief and youth chief in Silam was unchanged by the re-election, with Romansa Lamin and Firdaus Chairlie still winners.
Reasons for re-election
Previously, Syafiq Iqhmal Saharudin, who is contesting both positions, had alleged that his name was improperly marked as “withdrawn” during the online polling.
However, a source previously told Malaysiakini that the re-elections in Selayang and Silam were called due to one of the candidates having criminal records, which warranted their disqualification.
The re-election in Jempol was due to Azizah being found to be a member of another party.
Re-elections were also held today for the Pasir Salak division chief post, Besut Women’s chief post, as well as the Semporna division committee.
The divisional elections held between April 11 and 20 were marred with allegations of manipulation and procedural flaws, including the emergence of what some described as “badan tanpa kepala” or “headless bodies”.
The term refers to the anomaly where a candidate for division chief loses while most or all of their team members win.
Chua was among those said to be affected by the phenomenon.
In the wake of these issues, PKR’s Central Leadership Council convened a meeting on April 23, and is believed to have discussed concerns surrounding the divisional polls. - Mkini

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