JOHOR BARU: Postal voters in Singapore are looking forward to casting their ballots in the Johor election and hope the process will go smoothly.
Among them is underwriting account manager Chan Wen Yeap, 27, who is also a first-time voter for the Jementah state seat.
Chan: ‘My only concern is that the approval process and mailing of ballot papers would be delayed.’
He has registered to be a postal voter in Singapore and is awaiting approval from the Election Commission (EC).
“I am really looking forward to voting in this election, especially as I was not able to do so during GE14.
“I was a student in the United States back then and there was not much information available on how to register.
“However, this time, information has been abundant with the EC and even some political parties coming out with step-by-step guides and infographics to help us through the process.
“My only concern is that the approval process and mailing of ballot papers would be delayed, causing me to miss my chance of being a postal voter.
“I hope everything will run smoothly,” Chan said, adding that the registration process took less than 10 minutes.
“It is important for me to vote as it will determine the future of my hometown for the next five years.”
Customer service officer P. Thineswara Rao, 32, is excited to vote as well.
“This is the first time I am voting through the post and initially I was worried about the procedure.
Thineswara: ‘The registration process was smooth and the website was also user-friendly.’
“However, I later found all of the information about postal voting on social media and I have been able to register ahead of the deadline.
“The online registration process was smooth and the website was also user-friendly.
“I believe the next step will be quite straightforward and easy to follow, especially as early preparations have been made,” said the Skudai state seat voter.
Technician Razak Halim, 38, urged other Johor voters residing in Singapore to register to be postal voters as soon as possible.
“It is our right and our responsibility to vote in this election.
“The online registration only takes few minutes to complete but the result of this election will last for five years.
“I registered on Monday and I hope others will do the same before the deadline,” he said.
Razak hopes the EC will ensure the ballot papers reach the people on time.
“We will have to post the ballot papers back to the returning officers by March 12, so it is important for us to get the ballot papers early.
“We will also need time to learn what needs to be done and arrange to mail the ballot papers back,” said the Larkin voter.
Last Wednesday, EC chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said it 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.
This means that for the first time, Malaysians living in the four neighbouring countries will be allowed to participate as postal voters in a state election.
Also removed is the requirement for the voter to have been in Malaysia for 30 days during the five-year term of the previous state assembly.
However, these voters will need to apply online before Feb 18.
Abdul Ghani also said the EC would be using the 2021 master voter list, which was updated on Jan 21 this year.
“The list contains 2.59 million voters. It is made up of 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 told a press conference at the Persada Convention Centre last week.