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KUALA LUMPUR – Voters have generally taken the prohibition on bringing mobile phones to polling booths in their stride.
Many welcomed the decision by the Election Commission (EC), saying it would ensure that the secret ballot remains as such.
Pejuang chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was among those who hailed the move.
The move can curb vote-buying because voters would be unable to snap a photograph of their marked ballot paper and then seek cash payment from the party or individual they had voted for, he said.
Speaking to reporters after having voted at the SK Titi Gajah polling centre here, he said he hoped that the EC would stick to its decision and prohibit voters from taking their mobile phones with them to polling booths even in future elections.
When asked about the prohibition, several voters said they had no problem abiding by the rule.
Halijah Jusoh, 53, said she was not worried about the prohibition. She said the phone was taken care of by an EC staff and returned to her after she had voted at the SM Persendirian Chong Hwa polling centre in Jalan Ipoh, here.
Nadia Ibrahim, 38, who voted in the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary constituency, said leaving her phone behind when going to the polling booth did not pose any hindrance to polling.
Engineer Ahmad Faizal Baharin, 37, who voted at the SK Sg Talam polling centre in Pahang, said the EC’s decision prevented irresponsible voters from snapping a photograph of their ballot paper and posting it on social media.
“We have to ensure that each vote is secret,” he said.
First-time voter Nurul Qaireena Umairah Mohd Hasim, 18, said she understood the significance of the prohibition and abided by the rule. – Bernama, November 19, 2022