As I have mentioned in my initial postings, election petition always do not favor the petitioners.
True enough - to date, several petitions filed by Pakatan Rakyat's candidates were not only declined (thrown out) by the courts but the petitioners were slammed with cost.
So far, tens of thousands in cost had already been slammed on them and ordered to be paid. The question is, whether it's a worthwhile effort for PR or it's agents to proceed with the remaining petitions.
Even if they are able to enter the trial phase, there is still no guarantee of them being victorious and no assuarance for not ending up with cost.
Most people know that an election petition simply refers to the procedure for challenging election results. It is a common knowledge.
Many too are also aware that any party with interest, be it the voters or the candidates have the right under the law to file for appeals on the election results provided or as long as they have valid evidence to produce.
Another common opinion is the fact that challenging election results in courts is indeed as challenging (difficult).
Procedures can be quite complicated and the process itself may take time with possibility of appeals
don't reach or entering trial is high.
Thus, taking into consideration of to date declined or thrown out petitions by PR and/or their agents, I am of the opinion that it's going to be a waste of not only time and energy but money in form of costs.
Even an average of RM10, 000 per petition would cause PR and/or their agents hundred of thousands.
It is just unfortunate for PR, particularly in cases where they had lost by knife thin margin of not being able to use the courts to challenge the results when they have evidence(s) in their possession.
What is more unfortunate is the fact that the evidence(s) collected can not be proven in courts.
For those having less knowledge on judicial procedures pertaining to election petition will continue to wonder, which part of the procedure that is so complicated or difficult until proving alleged fraud becoming extremely hard.
Surely, I can understand the discontentment or frustration on the part of PR's petitioners or even the people at large for that matter but when you have to 'pay' for a 'fight' even before entering the 'ring', to withdraw may not sound that silly after-all.
What matters most now is what PR chooses to do from here.
For a start, it would be even more meaningful for the money lost in court petition costs be used to help the 33 protesters whom required RM150, 000-00 in bails than to give it to BN's candidates named in the petitions.
And do not allow discontentment with election commission (EC) and frustration over election petition (EP) consume us.
What and how people would like to think of our judiciary (on election petition), it is entirely their choice and their own creativity in thinking.
Writer's favourite
"For every judgement you pronounced, you will be judged before God the Almighty"
AUNG SAN SUU KYI
"The judiciary must be strengthened and released from political interference"
CAROLINE KENNEDY
"The bedrock of our democracy is the rule of law and that means we have to have an independent judiciary, judges who can make decisions independent of political winds that are blowing"
ANDREW JACKSON
"All the rights secured to the citizens under the constitution are worth nothing, and a mere buble, except guaranteed to them by an independent and virtuous judiciary"
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