Electoral reforms pressure group Bersih has proposed that a security deposit be imposed on those who raise objections against the voter list, to prevent abuse.

Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah said that while such objections were a basic right, there was an uptrend in such objections and that many were "ridiculous".

"(Often), the person who objects doesn't even bother to turn up at hearings. That is irresponsible, especially if the subject turns out to be a genuine voter.

"The objector should face some consequences," said Maria told Malaysiakini.

The Election Commission will hold hearings regularly where an objector - who can raise objections against a maximum 20 voters at a time - can present his case to disqualify voters.

Voters who are the subject of objection can collect RM100 from the person making the objection, if the hearing rules that the objections were invalid.

However, this RM100 compensation can only be collected if the objector was present during the hearing. Voters who do not turn up for the hearing can be struck off the voter list.

Abuse of process

Maria said that an objector should be subject to a RM200 security deposit for each objection, which can only be refunded if the objection was valid.

"If the voter is not genuine, the objector takes back the money. If the voter is genuine, the voter gets the money," she said.

Tempers flared after new voters who turned up at a public hearing by the Selangor EC on Monday found out that those who objected against their registrations were absent.

Although most of the voters were able to have the objections dismissed and were compensated with RM100, some were unhappy as they were not allowed to ask questions about those who had filed objections against them.

Some had to take the day off from work while some pointed out that RM100 was not enough to compensate them for their cost of travel and loss of earnings for the day.

Disenfranchising voters

Meanwhile, Maria said that the EC could easily have determined whether a voter was genuine or not by adopting the National Registration Department (NRD) database.

"Why can't the EC link with the NRD? We are in the technological world, they can easily check whether a person is dead or doesn't exist."

The EC should also sift through objections beforehand instead of merely allowing any objection to be made which would ultimately waste taxpayers' money, she added.

In light of the increasing number of objections, Maria confirmed that Bersih will set up a hotline to document complaints.

"It's for those (voters) who were objected (against), who didn't manage to collect their compensation and those who couldn't go (for the hearings) and then get struck out of the voter list."

Maria then criticised the EC for its rigidity when it comes to changing dates for hearings.

"Once a person doesn't go on that particular date, he or she is removed from the electoral roll and has to register again.

"This is a very bad way form of management. The EC is disenfranchising voters; disqualifying them through a baseless process," added Maria.