[UPDATED] Gobind Singh tallies most votes at DAP committee polls

SHAH ALAM – Gobind Singh Deo garnered the highest number of votes during the DAP central executive committee elections (CEC) here this evening.

Despite gaining 1,782 votes out of 2,179 ballots, the Puchong MP is not guaranteed the secretary-general post as it is likely to go to Anthony Loke Siew Fook, who ranked third with 1,625 votes.

This is due to an understanding between party leaders that the reigns of the party will be helmed by the former transport minister.

While Gobind topped the list, outgoing secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had placed eighth among the top 30 CEC members with 1,311 votes.

Lim was behind Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim, Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun, and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, among others.

Meanwhile, fresh faces in the CEC include Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto, Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh, Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi, Ketari assemblywoman Young Syefura Othman (Rara), Lanang MP Alice Lau Kiong Yieng, and Lim Hui Ying who is the sister of outgoing secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

The party election also saw several upsets: Bakri MP Yeo Bee Yin, Tg Bunga assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari, and Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming, who did not make the list of 30 CEC members.

Other DAP personalities who did not make the cut were Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, Klang MP Charles Santiago, and Lim Kit Siang’s political secretary Syahredzan Johan. 

A notable exclusion from the CEC is Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy, who garnered a total of 911 votes – the 30th highest count out of a total of 92 candidates.

However, due to the party’s earlier constitutional amendment mandating that the CEC be made up of a minimum of 30% of women, the final slot in the CEC was instead given to Kapayan assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang.

Voting today saw a turnout of only 2,179, or 52.52% of 4,149 delegates in total. It also saw a total of 152 spoiled votes. – The Vibes, March 20, 2022

Reporting by A. Azim Idris, Qistina Nadia Dzulqarnain, and Lancelot Theseira