Dr M claims fraud in GE14 vote counting




Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad

PETALING JAYA, May 28 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today claimed that there were elements of fraud during the 14th general election, so much so that some Pakatan Harapan candidates lost due to an unbelievable number of spoilt votes.

Dr Mahathir, who is also president of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), said that as a result, the parties in the coalition did not register a good outcome although Pakatan Harapan won the general election on May 9.

"There were candidates who had been declared winners, but all of a sudden other ballot boxes were brought in which caused the candidates to eventually lose. In some cases, the spoilt votes reached 700 to 800. Don't tell me Malaysians are that stupid."

"How many seats lost? We are counting, quite a number, I can't say how many. Not just the party (Bersatu) alone (but) other parties too," he said at a press conference after chairing a meeting of the Bersatu Supreme Council for about three hours at the party headquarters at Menara Yayasan Selangor here.

Asked whether the government would make changes, including replacing the Election Commission chairman, Dr Mahathir said: "As far as the party is concerned, we will put up cases depending on the findings, if we have grounds or not, whatever necessary action will be taken."

"I understand he (EC chairman) wants to resign but if he does and if there's anything against him, action will be taken according to the laws of the country," he said.

On today's meeting, Dr Mahathir said much of the discussions focused on the problems after GE14 and the requests from thousands of UMNO members to join Bersatu.

He said Bersatu would determine the status of any application when the UMNO members declare that they had quit the party and state their stand with regard to Pakatan Harapan.

He also said that the meeting also discussed the direction of the party after having accomplished its mission of toppling Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as the prime minister.

-- BERNAMA