GE14 | Several chapters of Global Bersih have expressed concern over the short amount of time for overseas voters’ postal votes to be processed in time for the polling date on May 9.

The chapters in France, Geneva, Germany, Netherlands and Scotland pointed out that the latest notice from the Election Commission (EC) said ballot papers will be sent out to postal voters two days after nomination, which is on April 28.

This leaves a total of six working days before May 9 for Pos Malaysia to send the ballots to overseas voters and then for the overseas voters to send back the ballots to their respective constituencies.

“Six working days are not enough for Malaysian voters in Europe to receive their ballot papers and return their votes,” they said in a statement today.

The estimated delivery time for ballots sent from Malaysia to Germany and Switzerland is around three to six days, while the estimated delivery time for letters from Germany to Malaysia by standard post is eight to 12 working days.

“This means that the voters will be unable to return their ballots on time using the standard postal system.

“Even if overseas Malaysians return their votes via international courier service, given that postage to and fro would take six to 10 days, there would be barely sufficient time for the marked ballots to arrive at the respective polling stations before 5pm, Malaysian time, on the polling day,” they said.

They are also appalled that the voters have to bear the costs of returning the marked ballot papers.

As explained earlier, for Malaysian voters in Europe to ensure their marked ballot papers arrive on time, they have to use international courier services, which will cost between 73 to 91 euros (RM349 to RM435).

“This exorbitant price will deter many Malaysian voters in Europe from using this method to get their votes back to Malaysia in time,” the Bersih chapters added.

They stressed that the burden of responsibility lies on the EC to ensure that the ballot papers sent to overseas voters have adequate time to be returned before voting closes at 5pm Malaysian time on May 9.

“We are disappointed that the EC has ignored Global Bersih’s proposal for a minimum turnaround period of 28 days to guarantee that the marked overseas ballots can be received and returned to the respective voter’s constituency presiding officer in time,” they said.

Besides that, the Global Bersih chapters also criticised the fact that Malaysians residing in Singapore, southern Thailand, Brunei and Kalimantan are unable to vote from overseas.

They believe that nearly half of all overseas Malaysians reside in these locations.

“These Malaysians risk being disenfranchised for logistical and financial reasons.

“Also, the fact that the polling day for GE14 is in the middle of the week makes it more difficult for voters in these areas to get time off from work or college and travel back to vote,” they said.

As such, they called upon the EC to fulfil its responsibility and mission of supporting the parliamentary democracy system and guaranteeing the rights of the citizens, including those living overseas, to elect their representatives.