Umno Youth exco member Armand Azha Abu Hanifah has rolled out his personal ‘WhatsApp registration strategy’ as political parties ramp up voter registration drives.

Amid complaints over inefficiencies of the Election Commission’s (EC) system, Armand told Malaysiakini that his only intention was to help facilitate the process.

“There is nothing wrong with that, right? No election law is broken,” he said yesterday when asked for comments on a statement by EC chief Mohamad Hashim Abdullah.

Mohamad Hashim had in a statement denied that voters can register themselves by merely sending their MyKad details via SMS or WhatsApp.

He also urged public caution over sharing their MyKad details, for fear that they could be abused.

Explaining the process, Armand said voters would first send him a photo of their MyKad via WhatsApp, after which arrangements would be made for them to go to the nearest post office.

“Our people will be there (at the post office). We would help to fill up their Borang A (based on MyKad photo), so there is no need to stand in line or wait.

“All they need to do is sign the form,” he said, adding that his team had faced little difficulties since starting the process about one month ago.

Armand, however, declined to reveal the number of voters his team has assisted and merely said that the response was encouraging.

The Selangor DAP had yesterday alleged possible “sabotage” by the EC on their own registration drives around the state, citing a limited number of registration forms provided.

PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli, through his NGO Invoke, had also offered up to RM2,600 in weekly cash prizes as an incentive for new voters to register themselves.