Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman, who is now Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) vice-president, said many of those whose names were picked from the electoral rolls did not realise that they had become Umno members.
“As such, opposition parties need not fear that the largest Malay party had a strong vote bank to keep them in power.
“I know this because their leaders took the voters list to set up branches in Umno divisions,” said Abdul Rashid at a PPBM-DAP seminar in Alor Star on Saturday. Also present at the seminar were PPBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad and leaders from PKR and DAP.
Abdul Rashid, who was with the EC for 27 years, both as civil servant and commission chief, said this was done with the encouragement of top party leaders.
Umno leaders have always taken pride that its strong membership ensured its party and other candidates from Barisan Nasional component parties won in elections.
Abdul Rashid said opposition parties should focus on the remaining 12 million voters to win power in Putrajaya and state governments.
“But we must work very hard to woo voters in the 14th general election,” he added.
Abdul Rashid said two years ago, he had also proposed to Prime Minister Najib Razak an automatic voter registration when citizens turn 21, but the idea was shot down.
“If this exercise was implemented, the number of Malay voters in Peninsular Malaysia will increase from 59% to 69%.
He also urged all opposition parties to unite to change the present government.
Abdul Rashid who in November 2013, joined Malay rights group Perkasa, had admitted then as the EC chief he had to keep the dominant Malay community in power.
While opening Perkasa’s Federal Territory annual general meeting that year, he was quoted as saying that the three redelineation exercises during his term at the EC, were done to ensure the continued political dominance of the Malays.