PETALING JAYA: A longer campaigning period for elections is welcome if it allows for better democratic process, but proper consultation with all stakeholders should be made prior to such a decision, say political parties and electoral watchdogs.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said Umno welcomes the extension of campaign duration if it allows more voters to participate in the electoral process.
“Yet, the question of resources does keep creeping in, particularly when we hold elections separately. The general election and state election are not in the same time frame. This means this longer campaign period proposal is something we must scrutinise,” said Asyraf.
“If overseas voters couldn’t schedule their votes within two weeks and may need a third week to successfully complete their ballot whilst we debate on the cost of extending the campaign period, I believe there are many other election practices that would have cost more than just merely extending the campaign period.”
On Oct 5, Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said he is reviewing a proposal to extend the campaign period from 14 to 21 days as part of efforts to improve the postal voting process.
MCA said the decision to lengthen the campaign period should not be done hastily, with party president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong saying there should be proper consultation with stakeholders before extending campaign periods.
“This is to ensure that there is an agreement on the extension, and that such a decision is not a knee-jerk reaction,” said Dr Wee when contacted.
MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon said it is better to improve the postal service instead.
“Political parties and politicians have been campaigning all year long, so 14 days is enough.
“Extending the campaigning period highly impacts costs, which is a huge burden for all candidates,” said Chong.
PKR and PAS leaders also agree that the current campaigning period is adequate, with PKR secretary-general Datuk Fuziah Salleh saying the EC should be looking into improving postal voting.
“The EC should look into making postal voting more efficient,” said Fuziah.
Perikatan Nasional election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor questioned the need.
“Nowadays, everything is at our fingertips we can campaign from one end of one constituency to the other easily and quickly,” he said.
Meanwhile, electoral watchdogs are in favour of longer campaigning.
The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) Steering Committee chairman Muhammad Faisal Abdul Aziz said Bersih had advocated for at least 21 days.
“This allows enough time for party workers to meet the people, for voters to receive better information, for postal ballots to reach voters, and for the ballots to then return to their respective constituencies.
“For example, in Sabah and Sarawak, where constituencies are very large and many areas remain remote, voters would also have a bit more time to plan their journey to vote, especially those living outside their constituencies.”
Engage chairman Thomas Fann said that for years, civil society has highlighted how the short campaign period makes it difficult for postal voters to receive and return their ballots on time.
“This effectively disenfranchises many. Extending the period will help address this long-standing issue.
“However, reform should not stop there.
“The EC should also expand postal voting eligibility to include Sabahans and Sarawakians residing in Peninsular Malaysia as this will significantly improve participation, given that voter turnout in Sabah and Sarawak has consistently been 10-15% lower than in the peninsula.
“In the longer term, the EC could modernise the process by allowing approved postal voters to securely download their ballots in PDF format immediately after nomination day, reducing reliance on unreliable postal services in many countries,” said Fann.
