PETALING JAYA, April 29 — The PKR candidate who was disqualified from contesting the Rantau state seat in Negri Sembilan claimed today he was not aware that an Election Commission (EC) pass was needed for him to enter nomination hall.

Dr S. Streram told reporters here that the EC did not inform him about the pass when preparing his nomination papers, and that he only learnt about it at the eleventh hour through party colleagues.

“I was not told about the pass,” the anaesthetic expert said at a press conference organised by electoral reform group Bersih 2.0.

“I only knew through friends… so I went to the district office at about 6.45pm (the day before) but by then it was closed and the officer said they would provide me the pass the next day,” he added.

He then claimed the EC failed to provide the pass on nomination day, despite its earlier pledge to do so.

Streram was prevented from filing his nomination papers yesterday after the Returning Officer found that the former did not possess the special pass for candidates to enter the hall.

The PKR man alleged the EC’s insistence on the pass was “petty” and the decision to prohibit him from filing his nomination papers was made in bad faith.

Barisan Nasional incumbent Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan retained the seat unopposed following the kerfuffle.

Bersih 2.0, who called for the press conference, criticised and condemned the EC for the incident.

Its executive director Yap Swee Seng said the ground for dismissing Streram’s candidacy was arbitrary, arguing that no candidate should be prevented from contesting because of technicalities.

“The candidate had all the necessary documents and the (signed) nomination form,” Yap said.

“All they needed to do was check the papers… they could have easily verified them and issue a tag.”

Bersih 2.0 also raised doubts about the Returning Officer’s credibility. The group claimed it had received several complaints from the public that accused the officer of being a staunch Umno and Mohamad Hasan supporter.

It did not provide documented proof to support the claim apart from a few photos that purportedly showed the man attending what appeared to be a seminar.

The group also claimed the police were complicit, pointing out that Streram was physically barred by members of the force from entering the nomination centre.

Despite the blockade, Streram claimed he had managed to file his nomination papers through an intermediary, but was rejected for passing the deadline.

It was submitted at three minutes passed 10am. Nominations are to be filed from 9am to 10am, according to EC rules.