DAP also demanded that the RoS clarify the matter.

“We are stunned by the decision of the RoS to ‘advise’ the re-election of the 2013 CEC members based on false and unfounded reasons,” said DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

He was speaking to reporters after a three-hour meeting with the party’s CEC here this evening.

He said DAP was not afraid of holding party elections as the term of the current CEC, elected in 2013, was expiring. He added that the party was in the process of organising the congress to elect a new CEC.

“It is ridiculous that the RoS now wants DAP to hold another re-election based on the 2012 delegates list,” he said.

He said there were several options available to DAP, including holding the re-election under protest as well as mounting a legal challenge against the RoS’ decision.

“In the meantime, we will make efforts to meet with the RoS to discuss the way forward.

“Efforts to meet with the RoS so far have been unsuccessful.”

Lim disputed the RoS’ claim that there were qualified delegates for the re-election held in 2013 who were denied their right to vote.

He said the number of qualified delegates for the 2013 re-election was exactly the same as that of the 2012 election.

“This was confirmed by independent auditors who carried out and witnessed the 2013 elections.

“The RoS also said there was a discrepancy between the number of qualified delegates because there were a reported 865 qualified branches in the 2012 CEC election while there were a reported 985 branches in 2013.

“This allegedly showed an additional 120 branches for the 2013 re-election. This is false.”

According to Lim, there were 751 qualified branches in 2012.

“The same 2,576 delegates from the same 751 qualified branches were notified for the 2013 CEC re-election.

“There were indeed a total of 985 branches in DAP in 2013. However, only 751 branches with 2,576 delegates were qualified to vote in the 2013 re-election.

“There were never 865 qualified branches for the 2012 CEC election.”

Lim, who is also Penang chief minister, said the party refuted the RoS’ claim that decisions made by the CEC elected in 2013 were null and void.

He reminded the department of the agreement arrived at with DAP on Sept 23, 2014, at the Kuala Lumpur High Court where “the RoS recognises that the DAP CEC elected on Sept 23, 2014 may carry out all its powers, functions and duties in the administration of the daily affairs of DAP in accordance with the constitution of DAP”.

Also present were acting national chairman Tan Kok Wai, vice-chairmen Teresa Kok and M Kulasegaran, as well as national publicity secretary Tony Pua.

The meeting revolved around the official notification from the RoS for DAP to hold a fresh election.

DAP received the notification two days ago, after the RoS said in a July 7 media statement that the appointment of CEC members and those who held key positions in DAP via its re-election on Sep 29, 2013 was deemed unlawful.

In its statement, the RoS said the re-election should be based on the list of delegates entitled to attend and vote in the CEC election on Dec 15, 2012 which involved 2,576 delegates from 865 branches.

This is because only valid and recognised CEC members can appoint individuals to the main positions, in accordance with the Societies Act 1966 and DAP’s constitution.

But Lim said then that the party would not hold a fresh election as it had already conducted a re-election in 2013 as directed by the RoS.

Lim added that the party had also informed the RoS of the re-election results, which involved 2,576 qualified delegates and therefore the question of a fresh election did not arise.