Allow more to be postal voters and vote early, say election experts

PETALING JAYA: Voting should be made more accessible by allowing more to be postal voters and more categories of voters be allowed early voting in keeping with the principles of democracy, say election experts.

Universiti Sains Malaysia senior lecturer Dr Azmil Mohd Tayeb said the access to voting should be broadened as everyone who is qualified to vote is automatically registered by the Election Commission (EC).

“Postal votes and early voting should be expanded to more categories than just military personnel and those living overseas. Even those living out of states should be allowed to be postal voters as it will be difficult for many to leave their jobs and return to their hometowns, especially when our elections are not held on fixed dates.

“In the United States, even those living in the same constituency can choose to mail their votes and voters can choose to either vote early at designated places or vote on the polling day,” said Azmil when contacted.

He, however, noted that with the inconsistent election dates in Malaysia, from the dissolution of the Parliament to the dates of the polls decided by the EC, it makes postal voting and early voting not easily manageable.

“One reform is to have a fixed election date as in the US. Here, there are too many surprises and this takes many resources, making it a hassle for everyone,” said Azmil.

He said making it “a hassle to vote” goes against the concept of “enfranchisement and empowerment” of voters in line with the parliamentary democratic system Malaysia practises under the Federal Constitution.

“It should not be just getting more people to become voters, but making it easier for voters to vote,” he added.

Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) chairman Thomas Fann said that while Bersih has always urged for more people to be postal voters, it will be better if EC is able to allow more categories to be early voters.

This is because of the bigger worry of vote-buying through postal voting, he said.

“Bersih has been urging the EC to allow out-of-region voters, especially those separated by the South China Sea, to vote as either postal voters or advance voters so that they need not incur high cost just to exercise their democratic right.

“Our preference is advance voting due to the likelihood of vote-buying if it is through postal votes.

“Parties could offer money in exchange for blank postal ballots in order to win elections.

"For advance voting, a mega voting centre could be set up by the EC in each state and allow these out-of-region voters to vote three days in advance," he said, adding that ballot boxes or bags could then be sent back to their respective returning officers for counting on polling day.

Fann said EC is empowered to implement such changes by amending the Election Regulations.

"Doing so could potentially enfranchise a further 600,000 voters for the election,” he said.

As of Dec 15 last year, the minimum voting age has been lowered to 18 and automatic voter registration has started.

This means over 5.6 million new voters are now on the Malaysian electoral roll compared to the last general election in 2018.

Under the Undi18 amendment, all Malaysians aged 18 and above living overseas can now apply through the EC online to vote by post.

Previously, only military personnel, government servants and full-time students were allowed to cast their ballots while living overseas.