PETALING JAYA, May 16 ― Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wants a review of PKR's “one man, one vote” elections, saying the current format was contributory to the problems that forced the party to hold fresh voting at 27 branches.

Citing branches with large memberships such as Kuala Selangor and Gombak, Anwar said that it would “not be feasible” to have direct voting in these areas as there were too many members.

“I think we need to review (the) direct election process...of course, this is just my personal opinion,” he told reporters here.

The direct voting system was introduced during PKR's last 2010 polls, which was fraught with allegations of corruption and voter manipulation.

PKR leaders have often said in the past that the party's direct vote mechanism differentiated the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) party from their political rivals in Barisan Nasional (BN).

Anwar also denied allegations that PKR's election committee (JPP) had failed to oversee and conduct this year's party elections fairly, and that equating JPP to the Election Commission's (EC) handling of Election 2013 was grossly unfair.

“Don’t equate us to the EC. We admit our weaknesses and we are looking to improve on it. We are not covering up our weaknesses and nor are we protecting any fraud,” he said.

The 27 out of 198 branches nationwide which have to undergo fresh polls are Hulu Langat, Sabak Bernam, Sungai Besar, Subang, Klang, Selayang, Kota Raja, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor, Kapar, Setiu, Kuala Nerus, Kemaman, Dungun, Paya Besar, Nibong Tebal, Jerantut, Batang Sadong, Kapit, Pengerang, Tenggara,Tenom, Keningau, Bukit Katil, Tawau, Papar and Sg Petani.

The party has also received 331 official complaints on some party candidates, campaigns and electoral process. A hundred of these complaints have been found to have merit.

PKR has played down allegations of vote manipulation and polling delays in the party’s internal polls, with its elections director Johari calling it manageable “hiccups.”

PKR’s last party elections in 2010 was mired with allegations of vote fraud and corruption, which led to some leaders leaving the party in protest.