DAP 'special congress' violates party constitution: Ex branch vice-chairman

KLANG: A former DAP branch leader today claimed the party violated its constitution by having the re-election of the party's central executive committee (CEC) through a special congress on Nov 12.
L. Pannerselvam, who is former Ehsan DAP branch vice-chairman, claimed that nowhere was it mentioned in DAP's party constitution that party CEC elections can be held in a special congress.
He instead said the party's constitution specifically stated that a CEC election should be held in a National Party Congress.
"As per the DAP's constitution, central elections should be held in a national congress with a 10-week prior notice given to branches and delegates.
"If DAP insists to hold fresh polls on Nov 12 in a special congress, they should change their party constitution first," he told a press conference here today.
Pannerselvam said Clause VIII Article 8 of the party constitution clearly states that a special congress can only be held to discuss party matters, and not to have a re-election.
He also claimed that he remained a DAP member despite being sacked by the CEC in 2013 as the panel was not recognised by law.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had announced that fresh polls for the party's CEC will be held on Nov 12 at Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC), Shah Alam.
The party conducted a re-election in 2013 after the RoS detected irregularities in its 2012 election.
In July 2017, the Registrar of Societies (RoS) told the party that it had no intention of de-registering DAP but it had to hold a re-election following complaints from some DAP members.
Pannerselvam also urged the DAP leadership to reveal the candidates contesting for the re-election to ensure smooth campaigning and voting process. — Bernama