PENANG,Wed- Parti Keadilan Rakyat Malaysia (PKRM) will not be able to field any candidate in the next general election because its application as a political party has been rejected by the Registrar of Society.

Election Commission deputy chairman Datuk Abdullah Zawawi Mohamed said today that the PKRM members could, however, still contest using their former parties' symbols-Parti Keadilan Nasional (Keadilan) and Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM)-or even as independents.

"The Election Commission rules are very clear on this. Political parites not approved by the ROS will not be allowed to field candidates.

"In this case, PKRM members will not be allowed to contest in the elections.

"They can, however, still contest under their former party labels," Abdullah Zawawi said after attending a briefing for 81 election officers here.

PKRM, formed on Aug 3 last year, is headed by Keadilan president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail while PRM president Dr Syed Husin Ali, is deputy president.

Abdullah Zawawi, meanwhile, said the EC would ensure foreigners did not vote in the election.

He said the issue of foreigners voting in the general election arose following complaints that certain political parties had allegedly brought along foreigners to vote, especially those near the Thai and the Philippine borders during the last general election.

Abdullah Zawawi added that the number of registered voters stiid at 10.2 million as Dec 31. - New Straits Times-