Global Bersih has urged the Election Commission (EC) to extend the campaigning period for the coming polls to 28 days as opposed to two weeks previously.

"For overseas voters, two weeks is not enough to receive the ballots from Pos Laju and then send it back to our voting area," said Lydia Chia a Global Bersih steering committee member.

This concern was echoed by Global Bersih president Bala Chelliah in a live video chat from Geneva together with Chia from New Zealand.

He said it typically takes 10 to 15 days for an ordinary post to reach a foreign city from Malaysia and vice-versa.

"Although using Pos Laju may speed it up, this is no assurance that it will arrive in five days," said Chelliah.

Lydia also said it was disappointing to note that the cost of the returned marked ballot papers would have to be borne by the voters and urged the EC to send the ballot papers with a prepaid envelope.

Global Bersih also criticised EC for not providing permanent overseas voting procedures with overseas Malaysians are being left in the dark about the voting process every time a general election is called.

"So it is not fair. Every time just before a GE, we will try to find out what is the process. Are we allowed to vote from overseas this time? We were allowed the last time but this time we don't know," said Chia (below).

"All we need is for EC to carry out their duty and take responsibility for implementing an overseas voting process that is workable and provide sufficient safeguards," said Chelliah.

Chia added that overseas Malaysians have three main concerns which were ballot security, voter secrecy and transparency.

Global Bersih said it also noted with concern Malaysians residing in Singapore, southern Thailand, Brunei and Kalimantan continued to be disenfranchised from the overseas voting process.

"This is very unfair. No good reason was given and we would like a reason and for all Malaysian overseas to be franchised," said Lydia.

Chelliah said there were thousands of overseas Malaysian who cared for Malaysia and who were passionate about campaigning for reforms as well as participating in the GE14.

He also suggested that the Malaysian government invite a Commonwealth Observer Group to independently monitor the conduct of the coming general election.