SNAPSHOT | No decision yet on digitalisation of postal votes - EC; unhealthy air levels in 10 areas

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 9am, 2pm, 6pm, and 9pm.

2pm

Election

• The Election Commission has not finalised any decision on the digitalisation of postal votes, said its chairperson Ramlan Harun.

  Assuring that the EC is constantly looking at room for improvement in all election processes, including postal voting, Ramlan (above) said any changes must consider legal requirements, voting process security, vote secrecy, system reliability, and international best practices.

  He added that the pilot project for the Optical Character Recognition System for Voter Attendance Records (OCR-VA), implemented during the Negeri Sembilan state election, achieved its set objectives of providing an accurate, real-time picture of voter turnout.

  

  ​"Although the attendance process is recorded digitally, all other election security procedures and standard processes remain as usual, in line with existing election laws and regulations.

  According to Berita Harian, Ramlan said the EC is also examining the possibility of implementing an online voting system, or e-voting, in the future.

  He said the matter still requires comprehensive studies, including regarding public trust and confidence, as well as cybersecurity aspects.

READ MORE: Postal voting can't rely on volunteers' goodwill, reforms needed, says Global Bersih

Air quality

• A total of 10 locations across Malaysia recorded unhealthy air quality levels, with most of them concentrated in Sarawak, as of 10am today.

  According to data from the Air Pollutant Index Management System (APIMS), Serian registered the highest API reading at 183, followed closely by Kuching (171), Samarahan (171), Sri Aman (163), Sarikei (158), Mukah (152) and Bintulu (147).

  

  In Peninsular Malaysia, three areas posted unhealthy readings: Cheras (153), Johan Setia (150), and Shah Alam (103).

  Bernama also reported that 56 locations recorded moderate API levels (51–100), while only two areas registered good air quality (below 50).

  The API scale is as follows: 0–50 (good), 51–100 (moderate), 101–200 (unhealthy), 201–300 (very unhealthy), and above 300 (hazardous).

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