JOHOR BARU: For the first time, Malaysians living in four neighbouring countries will be allowed to vote as postal voters in the Johor state election, says Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh.

       However, these voters will need to apply online before Feb 18.

       He also said the EC would be using the 2021 master voter list, which was updated as at Jan 21 this year.

       “The list contains 2.59 million voters, which comprises 2.57 million ordinary voters, 10,955 Armed Forces personnel and their spouses, 11,576 police personnel and their spouses and 376 registered overseas voters.

       “Applicants for postal voting can register online at https://myspr.spr.gov.my/,” he said at a press conference at the Persada Convention Centre here yesterday.

       Abdul Ghani said the EC had made improvements for overseas Malaysians to cast their votes for the Johor polls, including repealing two major requirements for overseas Malaysians to qualify as postal voters.Those in southern Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and Kalimantan in Indonesia who were previously not eligible may now register to be postal voters.

       The areas in Thailand include Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, Songkhla and Satun.

       Another adjustment is the removal of the requirement for the voter to have been in Malaysia for 30 days during the five-year term of the previous state assembly.

       He said a total of 2.57 million registered voters would be casting their votes in the Johor state election.

       Polling day has been set for March 12. Nomination would be on Feb 26 while early voting would be on March 8, he added.

       The campaign period has been set for 14 days.

       Abdul Ghani said the EC had also extended the voting time by 30 minutes, which will be from 8am to 6pm.

       “We are expecting a 70% voter turnout for this election,” he said, adding that the EC had appointed 56 returning officers for the election.

       “There will be 1,021 voting centres in Johor,” he said, adding that the budget for the election was RM96mil.

       To ease the nomination process, the EC is advising candidates and their agents to fill in and check their nomination papers at their respective returning officer’s office or Johor EC office a day before.

       He said candidates were also advised to pay their deposits early to ensure smooth running of the process during nomination day.

       “However, they are also reminded that the nomination papers can only be submitted by the candidate or his proposer or seconder, during the nomination period at the nomination centre set by the EC,” he said.

       He also said those interested to become observers could email the EC at pemerhati@spr.gov.my from now until Feb 17.

       The Johor polls will be the fourth state election to be held after Sabah, Melaka and Sarawak following GE14 in 2018.

       The Johor state legislative assembly was dissolved on Jan 22. Its state assembly has 56 seats.

       The Umno-led state government had a simple majority with 28 seats against Pakatan Harapan’s 27, while one seat was left vacant after the passing of former mentri besar and Kempas assemblyman Datuk Osman Sapian, on Dec 21.

       The previous Johor government comprised Umno (14 assemblymen), MIC (two), PAS (one) and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (11), while the opposition comprised DAP (14), Amanah (six) and PKR (seven).