Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevesan has urged citizens living abroad to return to Malaysia to cast their votes in the 13th general election (GE13).

She was advising against casting postal votes as the conditions and regulations set by the Election Commission (EC) for overseas postal voters were very confusing and suspicious.

NONE According to Ambiga ( left ), the EC’s stipulation that citizens must have been in or returned to Malaysia for at least 30 days over five years prior to dissolution of Parliament was not only confusing, but also unfair to voters overseas.

“In our opinion, the condition that voters must have returned to Malaysia in the last five years and for 30 days cannot be implemented. It is unfair to voters.

“The regulation released is incomplete. There is much confusion over postal voting.

“Our (Bersih) advice is, firstly, come back and vote. Do not make a postal vote. That is our advice. But for those who cannot return, then vote through the post, but let us know if you have registered as a postal voter,” she said.

She said this during a press conference after handing over a memorandum to an EC representive in Putrajaya today.

Accordung to Ambiga further, Bersih had sent the same memorandum to Malaysian embassies and consulates in 14 cities worldwide, including Perth, Osaka, Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, Paris, San Francisco, Auckland, Geneva, Shanghai and Melbourne.

“We have confirmed that Malaysians in 14 cities around the world oppose postal voting as many issues have arisen. So, we request those (Malaysians) overseas be informed of this.

NONE “This is for truth. Truth cannot be hindered. In our opinion, the condition set is not in accordance with the constitution. The EC cannot simply issue such a condition. They should have discussed it first so that no confusion will arise,” she added.

On Jan 27, EC deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar ( right ) had said the condition to qualify as an overseas voter requiring them to return to the country and stay for at least 30 days over the past five years is “ reasonable ”.

He said the condition set by the EC is simple and appropriate, pointing out that other Commonwealth countries such as Australia and Canada have similar stipulations, while Singapore has a three-month requirement.

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