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MIRI – Sarawak PKR is calling for the Election Commission (EC) to set the polling date for the state election to January 2, the 60th day from the dissolution of the state assembly, to accommodate new voters coming in via Undi18.
The January date will also allow those under the automatic voter registration group to cast their ballots, said state PKR information chief Abun Sui.
Sui, a Miri-based lawyer, told The Vibes today that he and the Sarawak PKR leadership council had a closed-door meeting and decided to officially write to the EC to suggest the January 2 polling date.
“January 2 will fall within the 60-day period as the state assembly was dissolved on November 3. If the polling date is set for next year, Undi18 voters will be eligible to vote as required by the high court decision.
“That will also enable those who have not registered to vote under the automatic voter registration regulation. We in PKR feel that January 2 will be a date that is fair to all.
“If the EC is free and fair to all, it will agree to this date. The EC must not take sides with Gabungan Parti Sarawak, which intends to deny Undi18 voters and new voters in the automatic registration group from voting.”
Abun said GPS and its chairman Datuk Abang Johari Openg had repeatedly said they want the state election to be concluded this year.
“That is a clear sign they in GPS want to deny Undi18 and new automatically registered voters from exercising their democratic rights.
“The EC cannot set an election date this year just to please GPS. The EC is supposed to be fair and neutral, not taking sides with politicians.”
He said Sarawak PKR also agreed that all efforts must be made to ensure every voter has the chance to cast their ballot in a safe and protected environment, free from Covid-19 infection.
The EC must also make sure there will be good voter turnout for polling, he said.
Meanwhile, political observers are worried that voter turnout may be below 50%, or the lowest in history, impacting representation in certain constituencies.
Rights group Rise of Sarawak Efforts chairwoman Ann Teo told The Vibes that this might lead to questions on election legitimacy for selected constituencies and even for the state as a whole.
“With the pandemic still ongoing, people may refuse to go out and vote.
“If the EC goes ahead and fixes polling within the next few weeks, the voter turnout may be the lowest in any public election history in this state.”
Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau is also concerned over low voter turnout.
Ngau, who is branch chairman of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, said there are many polling stations in his constituency that serve small populations.
“That is why there must be careful planning on how to get as many voters to cast their ballots in a safe manner, taking into account measures to prevent the possible spread of infections.
“It is a big challenge. We need to work very closely with the EC team on this.”
He added that he wants to meet the EC team for his constituency as soon as possible to discuss ground preparations. – The Vibes, November 6, 2021