The Election Commission (EC) has come out to explain that the 18,493 who had “lost the right to vote as civilians” in the third quarter 2010 electoral rolls, are indeed the spouses of security personnel who had applied to be postal voters.

azlan EC chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said from feedback which he gained from his staff, the spouses had themselves applied to be postal voters.

“Under our election rules, only security personnel and their spouses are allowed to be postal voters. We cannot turn down their applications as they had chosen to do so, and filled in the necessary forms.

"Only spouses can be postal voters and not their children,” he told Malaysiakini from Batu Sapi.

"After they submit their applications and we process it, their names will be struck out from the civilian list. They can then cast their votes together with other security personnel."

He understands that the huge numbers may be alarming but this happens every time there are speculations of a pending general election. This happened in the past and this category is not new, Abdul Aziz said.

Explaining further, the EC chairperson said the spouses may find it easier to be postal voters to save the hassle of travelling home to cast their vote, and that is their choice.

Yesterday, PAS Youth information chief Suhaizan Kaiat raised the discrepancy in the third quarter 2010 electoral rolls, where it alleged a new category has emerged with the classification of  “losing the right to vote as civilians”.

They claimed their sudden emergence and large numbers raises suspicion as the bulk of the number are in two opposition-held states of Kelantan and Kedah, while the others are said to be in Perak.

No phantom voters

When queried on the suggestions made by PAS that the huge numbers represented phantom voters, the EC chairperson said there was no such thing.

NONE “There are no such thing as phantom voters despite what is alleged by certain parties. The reason for this is because the voters themselves chose not to change their identity cards address although they are working elsewhere.

“By law, they are required to change their identity cards after three months of moving out. But they chose not to do so. So when they do not live there and come back to vote, some parties may view them to be phantom voters,” he said.

The EC chairperson said the commission is transparent over this, and those who view it (the numbers or category) with suspicion can make objections during the stipulated period.

He said the EC cleared the electoral rolls consistently and is working together with the National Registration Department to remove those who had passed away from the rolls.

For Abdul Aziz, those who win in any by-elections or general election are those who truly deserve to win as they had undergone the strict vetting process, where the EC ensured the rolls are clean and there was no discrepancy.

God-fearing man   

“It would be a clean win and no manipulation by anyone as the EC has in place a mechanism to ensure everything is clean,” he said.

“Furthermore, I am also a God-fearing man. I know the repercussions in the hereafter if I do not discharge my duty or responsibility well. In the end, I am answerable for my actions to God. Hence, it is also in my interests to ensure everything is clean,” he said.

Asked about criticisms by the opposition about him not truly seeing out the reforms in postal votes, Abdul Aziz said he was trying his level best.

NONE “What is important is that the party representatives are allowed to observe the casting and transporting of the postal votes. This shows our transparency and there is no manipulation,” he said.

Questioned further that those within the questionable category were mostly in the opposition-held states of Kelantan and Kedah, Abdul Aziz said there are military camps and police stations nationwide.

“The opposition should not view the increase with suspicion. If there are discrepancies, come forward and object and we will seriously look into it,” he said.

To another question on objections by PAS over the transportation of ballot boxes in rural areas of Galas via helicopters after votes had been cast, Abdul Aziz explained if it were to be transported by land they would not arrive at the counting centre in time.

“That is the main reason for utilising the helicopter. There is no other reason. Furthermore, the party has their representatives at the polling centre and they know how many votes have been cast or who are in the lead.  

“There will be no manipulation, the votes transported by helicopter would not see a sudden increase,” he assured.