Electoral watchdog says Election Commission must ensure security and delivery of votes, adding that foreign missions are best equipped for the task.
The electoral watchdog’s steering committee said Wisma Putra and the foreign embassies were better equipped at coordinating the collection and return of ballots to Malaysia.
“Passing the responsibility to POS Malaysia made no sense and only penalises overseas voters as there is no guarantee the votes will reach the polling station before 5pm on polling day.
“The integrity of the election is at stake as the EC is tasked to ensure access, security and delivery of votes, which seems to be of little concern to the EC.
“The EC is meant to make life easier for voters, and not more difficult,” Bersih 2.0 said in a statement.
Earlier today, EC chairman Mohd Hashim Abdullah said the foreign ministry will no longer manage postal ballot papers.
He also revealed that Malaysian voters residing in southern Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and the Kalimantan province could not register as postal voters.
“Voters from these areas will need to purchase a ticket and apply for leave in order to come back and vote in person,” Bersih 2.0 said, highlighting the inconvenience imposed on voters residing in these regions, which comprise the bulk of Malaysians overseas.
It added that the lack of a firm date for the general election well in advance meant that many Malaysians might not be able to organise their leave and purchase flight tickets ahead of time to come back and vote.
Bersih 2.0 also urged EC to address the lack of a transparent and accountable process when it comes to Malaysians voting overseas.
“There is simply not enough information provided to assist voters overseas.
“As recent as last week, checks by Bersih 2.0 found that Malaysian embassies and high commissions were not informed of the latest developments announced by EC, in order to prepare or advise overseas voters.”
The electoral watchdog said this will only make voters become confused, thus “unable to make full use of their rights” as voters.
“The EC must ensure that proper discussions and instructions are carried out by the embassies and consulates, without which voters will be operating in a haze of confusion.”
The lack of election observers at foreign missions over the years was also an issue that Bersih 2.0 called for the EC to address.
“Taking into account the lack of election observers and the questionable integrity of the EC, Bersih 2.0 had urged the EC many times to implement procedures for election observers overseas to protect voter secrecy and the security of the voting ballots.”
The watchdog then urged eligible Malaysians living overseas to ensure that they are registered as postal voters as soon as possible, as the dissolution of parliament may be announced at any time.
“The necessary forms (Form 1b) and the guidelines for overseas voters can be found on the EC website – www.spr.gov.my – and completed forms must be sent to the EC headquarters.
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