Kota Kinabalu: While the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections or Bersih wants the Election Commission (EC) to consider postal voting as options for Sarawakians and Sabahans working in West Malaysia in the coming 15th general election (GE15), it also called on voters to demand bringing back election for local authorities (“third vote”) as solution to minimising corruptions.
Although the Sabah and Sarawak State Legislative Assemblies are not dissolved with the dissolution of Parliament to enable state elections, Bersih calls for the reinstatement of the “third vote” that Umno did away with in the 1960s.
Bersih recently staged a “Ketuanan Pengundi” roadshow in the state capital to encourage voters to turn out in full force “to cleanse politics”, according to Bersih chief Thomas Fan. Under such arrangement, posts in local councils would be elected, rather than appointed as a political reward.
“Support parties that aim to bring back the third vote,” Fan said.
EC has opened registration for postal voting for GE15 with the deadline for registration which will be announced after it determines the polling date.
“The EC will hold a special meeting to discuss and determine the important dates for GE15 as well as for the Bugaya state by-election in Sabah,” EC secretary Ikmalrudin Ishak said.
Ikmalrudin said EC members, election officers, police and military members as well as members of the media must apply manually for postal voting at the commission’s office in their respective constituencies.
Malaysians abroad can apply online at https://myspr.spr.gov.my/login.
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