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KUALA LUMPUR – The Election Commission (EC) must explain why some voters have found their voting constituencies changed without their consent, Bersih said.
The coalition said it had received complaints from numerous people who upon checking their voting details, found that their voting areas have been changed compared to where they voted in the last general election.
“Two Sabahan voters had their state and parliamentary constituencies changed. In the last GE14 and Sabah election, they voted in the Tawau parliamentary seat and the Sri Tanjung state seat, but now their locations have been changed to the Kalabakan parliamentary seat and the Merotai state seat,” Bersih’s steering committee said in a statement.
It noted that by law, a voter has to make a request to the EC for a change in voting area by filling out form A to amend their address. This is in accordance with Section 12A of the Election (Registration of Voters) Rules 2002.
The complainants to Bersih, however, said they never applied to make such changes.
Another set of complaints was received from PKR Batu division vice-chief Rozan Azen Mat Rasip, who said four voters there had their parliamentary seats changed to Gombak, Wangsa Maju and Kepong.
Bersih also condemned Rozan’s arrest last night, when all he had done was to help voters check their voting status and area.
It was reported by Free Malaysia Today that Rozan was detained by police yesterday evening.
“What is the reason for Rozan’s arrest when he was only helping voters to check their voting status and area?
“If there is a change of voting area without the voter’s permission, police should investigate the mastermind behind the change instead of arresting the complainant,” the coalition added.
Bersih said the EC’s lack of transparency will only affect people’s trust in the institution and could jeopardise the election process. – The Vibes, October 15, 2022