Make urgent changes for overseas voters - Global Bersih tells EC

The Global Bersih movement has called on the Election Commission to make urgent changes to the overseas voting system to ensure that the growing number of overseas Malaysian voters are able to exercise their right to vote in the 15th general election.

First on its list of demands is to open the overseas postal voter registration immediately.

“Currently, Malaysians abroad have to register as overseas voters during a narrow timeframe before each election, putting pressure on both the EC staff to process the applications and on voters to apply within a limited time,” said the group of overseas Malaysians in a statement by its steering committee.

Secondly, the group called on the EC to allow non-Malaysians to act as witnesses on postal ballot documents, a change from the current requirement that postal ballot documents must be signed and witnessed by a Malaysian citizen.

The group said the requirement has proven to be a stumbling block for many overseas Malaysians who live in areas with few or no other Malaysians.

“Allowing non-Malaysians to be witnesses will enable more overseas Malaysians to participate in the voting process,” they said.

Additionally, the group urged EC to consider extending the campaign period to a minimum of 21 to 25 days, as it would allow enough time for postal ballots to be sent to overseas voters and be returned to polling stations.

The implementation of Undi18 and Automatic Voters Registration (AVR) will result in growth from 14.9 million eligible voters in GE14 to 21.1 million eligible voters in the current electoral roll

The Election Commission will need to have ample time to prepare for the elections and to ensure that the overseas postal voting system is effectively implemented.

‘Straightforward procedural changes’

According to Global Bersih’s secretary-general Nirmala Devi Windgatter, the requested changes can be made before GE15 as they are straightforward procedural changes within EC's discretion. 

“To ensure that the overseas postal voting process works effectively during GE15, these changes should be implemented as soon as possible by the Election Commission and relevant ministries,” they said.

Global Bersih also stressed the importance of relevant government departments proactively communicating information on the overseas voting process to Malaysians abroad, highlighting Wisma Putra's role to mobilise its network of overseas missions and embassies to support the process. 

“For example, voters should be immediately informed that they should open a user account on the EC’s website to be able to register as overseas voters,” they said.

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