By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, July 6 — Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) members who are interested in contesting in the upcoming state elections can now apply as candidates starting today until next Monday.
In a statement, its deputy president Rafizi Ramli said individual applicants can fill in an online form via www.calonkeadilan.org, but must fulfil all required conditions before they are considered for candidacy.
Among the requirements are that they must be members of the party aged 18 and above, not bankrupt, have no criminal records, must declare their assets, and be prepared to sign an oath of loyalty as Keadilan lawmakers, Rafizi said.
A check on the website found that prospective candidates must be physically and mentally fit, free from drug abuse and do not owe the party any money.
Further conditions may be added from time to time, it noted.
Rafizi said the party leadership can also propose its own candidates, although they must be approved at the respective committee levels before being considered by the Election Committee.
Applications can be filed by the branch committee of a particular constituency contested by Keadilan, as well as the party’s Youth and Women’s central leadership councils.
“Nominations by the branches and the Youth and Women’s wings must be done formally and confirmed through meeting minutes signed by all members present. These minutes must be submitted to the Candidates Committee latest by 5pm on July 10.
“It must be reminded that all the names nominated by the organisation must also fill up the individual online forms,” he said.
Acknowledging the need for quality candidates, Rafizi said Keadilan has established a fair and transparent screening process, which will be managed by the Candidates Committee chaired by me, and comprise all seven party vice-presidents.
He said the committee will then screen and shortlist three best candidates for each seat to be presented to party president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for a final decision.
Rafizi said this democratic, transparent and objective nomination process is vital in encouraging all members of the party and public to apply for candidacy, besides convincing voters that Keadilan is serious about present quality and credible candidates.
This is the second time the party has opened up candidacy to the public, following a similar approach taken during the last general election.
Meanwhile, Rafizi said Keadilan will be conducting a launching ceremony for the party’s machinery simultaneously in all state constituencies contested by the party.
The programme will be held concurrently on July 7 in Kelantan and Terengganu, July 8 in Kedah and Penang, and July 9 in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan at 9pm.
Separately, he announced the dates and locations for the Jelajah Madani programme in conjunction with the state elections, which will be held in dozens of locations starting July 4, culminating in Sungai Tua, Gombak on August 11, a day before polling.
