Global Bersih chapters in Germany and Switzerland have raised concerns about accountability and lack of clarity in the new process of overseas voting.

The new system announced by Election Commission (EC) chief Mohd Hashim Abdullah will employ Pos Malaysia Bhd to handle the overseas voting process, where it was previously carried out by Wisma Putra and the Malaysian Foreign Missions.

Among the issues, the groups said following the last general election's experience, was there would possibly be insufficient time to vote through the privatised postal service.

“During GE13, there were about two weeks between dissolution of Parliament and nomination of candidates, and two weeks again between nomination and polling.

“Such short interval makes it nearly impossible for overseas voters to use Pos Malaysia Bhd, to receive and return the ballots to the right place on time,” said the group in a joint statement today.

They said there was also insufficient information about the process.

“As for now, no instructions have been provided on the return of ballots; it is highly unclear how the ballots will reach overseas Malaysians, and how and to where they are going to actually return the ballots.

“The fact that the ballots are going through such an insecure process where Pos Malaysia Bhd will be in charge of the ballot papers instead of Wisma Putra, raises our concerns that the anonymity and confidentiality of the votes might be compromised without a well-trained body to be held accountable for such an important process,” they said.

They urged the EC to maintain the present system of having Wisma Putra manage the overseas advance voting process.

Bersih, they added, have put up various recommendations to improve the process.

While the ruling party has been hinting at the next general election being around the corner, no specific time frame has yet been announced.

In Nov 2016, the premier appeared to revel in the guesswork saying, “I’m enjoying this speculation. Let people go on speculating."

Global Bersih however said the EC should announce the general election date “at least two months in advance”, to enable overseas Malaysians to have the option to fly home to vote.