Although Election Commission (EC) chief Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof never applied or registered to be a Umno member, he cannot rule out the possibility that his name is listed.

"I cannot remember at all when and where I became a member of Umno, there could have been any party which enrolled my name after graduating from university, during the early 1970s," he told Sinar Harian .

Yesterday, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution had charged Abdul Aziz and EC deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar of being members of the ruling coalition, casting doubt on their impartiality in running elections.

election commission chief abdul aziz yusof "Even then I can't tell which division, because after I completed my studies I moved to different places, like - Segambut, Selayang and Ampang. So if my name was proposed I really don't where," said Abdul Aziz ( left ).

Wan Ahmad, on the other hand, admitted being a Umno member a long time ago but he ,too, could not recall with which division, instead he hit out at Saifuddin for trying to damage his image.

He told the newspaper that the registration was done by someone else in the 1970s or 80s at a Gombak, Damansara or Subang Jaya division.

Saifuddin had challenged the duo to deny his accusations, adding that he possessed evidence to show otherwise, in an exclusive interview with the Malay daily.

He added that when entrusted with responsibility to lead the EC, they should have terminated their memberships for the sake of neutrality.

Abdul Aziz, however, denied having ever attended any party related events or held any party post for the matter.

"I stress that even if someone had registered me a as member of the party, it does not make me one-sided or biased. I've never felt bonded during my tenure here," he said, lashing out at Saifuddin for trying to "dig up forgotten facts" to turn them into issues.

Not an active member

Wan Ahmad, in his turn, also asserted that he had "never" taken part in party activity or meeting, stressing that he does not know if he is still a member.

"I'm not a politician, I've been a civil servant till today. I tell the truth," said Wan Ahmad who was appointed to the EC after retiring, but in the entire time he has never checked on the status of his membership.

"All civil employees are not allowed to be active in any party. If they want to do so, they must resign. I'm still in service so it is proof that I'm not an active member," he said.

NONE He added that Saifuddin's ( right ) allegations were "slanderous, immature" and aimed at tarnishing his image.

"Why target me when the duties of the EC are to provide only the best service to facilitate the election process," he said.

On a less strident note, Wan Ahmad said he would seek a meeting with Saifuddin, on the latter's "motive" for bringing up the issue.

"If the EC is not transparent, how is it then that the opposition won so many seats in the last election? EC always prioritises it duties... it has nothing to do with politics," he said.