Johor polls: Those in four previously excluded countries may now apply to be overseas voters

EC chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh

JOHOR BARU: Malaysians in four neighbouring countries previously ineligible for postal voting may now apply from Wednesday (Feb 9) until Feb 18 to cast their ballots in the upcoming Johor state election.

The Election Commission (EC) has addressed and repealed two major requirements for overseas voters in those countries.

Firstly, those in southern Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, and Kalimantan in Indonesia who were previously not eligible may now register to be postal voters.

The areas in Thailand include Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, Songkhla and Satun.

Another adjustment is the removal of the requirement for the voter to have been in Malaysia for a certain period during the five-year term of the previous state assembly.

EC chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said applicants for postal voting must register through its website at https://myspr.spr.gov.my/.

He advised postal voters to register early to avoid any issues or inconvenience.

“Currently, there are a total of 2.59 million people eligible to vote in this election,” he said after announcing the dates for the state election at Persada Convention Centre here on Wednesday.

Abdul Ghani added that for this election, the EC has appointed 56 returning officers and 186 assistant returning officers.

“We will be appointing 49,290 officials to carry out this election at 1,021 voting centres in Johor,” he said, adding that the total expenditure for the election would be RM96mil.

Abdul Ghani also said those interested to be observers can email the EC at [e-mail] from Wednesday until Feb 17.

The Johor polls would be the fourth state election in Malaysia since the 14th General Election in 2018 after Sabah, Melaka and Sarawak.

The state legislative assembly was dissolved on Jan 22 by Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar following an audience by caretaker mentri besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad.

The Umno-led state government had a simple majority with 28 seats against Pakatan Harapan’s 27, while one seat was left vacant after the passing of former mentri besar Datuk Osman Sapian, who was Kempas assemblyman, on Dec 21.

The Johor state assembly has 56 seats.

The previous composition was Umno (14 seats), MIC (two), PAS (one) and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (11) in government, while the Opposition comprised DAP (14), Parti Amanah Negara (six) and PKR (seven).