PKR opens up candidate applications

SHAH ALAM - Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is giving an opportunity for its members to submit nomination forms, if they are interested to contest as candidates in the state elections.

Its Deputy President Rafizi Ramli said the move was made as one of the party's efforts to start a democratic, transparent and objective candidate selection process.

He said it can also convince the talents among party members and ordinary people to respond to the call to serve the community through the PKR platform.

"This matter actually started with the 15th General Election (GE15) last year. This transparent process is also important to convince voters that PKR as a party is always serious about presenting quality and authoritative candidates.

"Therefore, in order to face the elections in these six-states this August, I invite any PKR member who wants to volunteer as a candidate to submit a nomination form according to the method set by the Party's Central Leadership Council," he said in a statement on Thursday.

Rafizi, who is also the PKR Election Director, said that any PKR member who is interested can volunteer as a candidate by filling out an online form that can be accessed through the link www.calonkeadilan.org.

He said, the form can be accessed from Thursday until the application closing date which is on 10th July 2023, at 5pm.

"Among the eligibility requirements that must be met is that the individual who applies must be a PKR member aged 18 and over, not bankrupt and certified by the Insolvency Department, and does not have a criminal record

"They must also declare their assets and be prepared to sign a loyalty bond as PKR representatives," he said.

Rafizi added that the PKR leadership at all levels can also nominate candidates who have been agreed upon at the respective committee levels to be considered by the Central Election Committee.

He said this process is open to the Branch Committee for the areas contested by PKR, the Central Leadership Council and the Central Women's Leadership Council of PKR.

"Understanding the sentiment of voters who want the parties to present quality candidates, we have also established a fair and transparent candidate screening process.

"This screening process will be handled by a Candidates Committee chaired by me as the Director of Elections and made up of all seven PKR Vice Presidents.

"As enshrined in the party's constitution, the power to choose candidates is the president's absolute right. Therefore, the Candidate Committee is responsible for filtering and shortlisting the candidates but the final decision will still be made by the President ," he explained.