At a forum on political financing held at Harbourview Hotel last saturday the EC was caught for only exercise discretion to allow the spouses of the police and the EC staff to utilise postal voting -but not Sarawakians living out of towns for various reasons. The disallowance is believed to have caused the voting rates in various Sarawak elections to lag seriously behind all other states especially in Penisular. From a political perspective the suppression of the voting rights of the mostly youthful and out-going Sarawakians imply that there is a hidden agenda to steer the voting pattern of Sarawak towards the conservative direction. To clear itself of political maneuvering the EC should exercise its discretionary power to include the out-of-town Sarawakian voters among the postal voters list.
Since the other groups allowed to utilise postal votes to exercise their voting rights are no more deserving than the out-of-town Sarawakians the EC should as a matter of urgency include them for postal vote. Also since the others allowed as postal voters on temprory basis had not caused too much administrative hassles there is even less reasons for the EC to ignore these citizens of Malaysia. If we see how our neighbouring countries open poling centres in their embassies and consulates in Malaysia to allow their expatriates to vote we should feel ashamed if we cannot follow their standards.
democracy4now
lucia
TP
sicnewsmirisite
timchoo
With the world seeing big changes taking place where really there is a general awakening of people in a lot of lands that they have the power to improve governance and the way things are it would be of huge benefit for Malaysia to do everything within their power to see to it the people of Sarawak come away from upcoming elections feeling their voice was heard.
There are tons of elections that have flaws and can see manipulation. For me here in the US the use of electronic voting machines that don’t have a paper trail and the concentration of media in corporate hands drives me crazy. It’s good to see Malaysia take seriously that all their people’s voices are heard as best they can be with elections.
Any improvements that can made would be greatly appreciated I think by the world at large..
It’s like the whole world is voting right now. Like a power has awakened the people of the world to the need for change. Besides if good governance and having forests and things to play in and have fun in for future generations is the result who can argue with that..
Whatever happens good luck with elections and I hope the better candidate wins.. I have my preference for who I’d vote for that’s for sure. I’d vote to protect Earth’s systems that protect the common good.