Electoral reform group Bersih has rebutted Election Commission (EC) chief Mohd Hashim Abdullah's claim that a constitutional amendment is required to allow East Malaysians to vote for their home constituency from Peninsula Malaysia where they work and study.

Hashim had said such absentee voting system could not be done as a two-thirds majority was required for the constitutional amendment.

"This is untrue as all the EC needs to do is amend the election rules which is already under the jurisdiction of the EC, particularly the Elections (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981 and Elections (Registration of Electors) Regulations 2002," said the Bersih steering committee.

For example, Bersih said it had introduced early voting and overseas postal voting in the last general election without requiring a constitutional amendment.

Bersih also criticised Mohd Hashim's argument that allowing East Malaysians the right to be absentee voting would also see voters in places like Kelantan and Terengganu demanding for the same privilege.

The group said, unlike Kelantan and Terengganu, East Malaysians returning home from Peninsular Malaysia require flight tickets which could run into thousands of ringgit.

"The fact is not all Sabah and Sarawak voters are wealthy like the EC chairperson who can spend thousands of ringgit to take leave and go back to vote," said Bersih.

Bersih added that the proposal was consistent with the suggestion made by the parliamentary select committee on electoral reform in 2011.

Bersih lamented that the EC, instead of carrying out these reforms, has given various excuses not to do so.

"Bersih reiterates that the EC needs to be more serious in improving the electoral system before the 14th general election so that voters can exercise their right to a fair vote," he said.