The new Election Commission (EC) chairman Azhar Azizan Harun was just appointed to the position on September 21 but he has already started to make reforms to ensure that future elections are improved. One of the first steps that he has taken to address election issues is to establish a Voters’ Registration Improvement Policy Committee.
Source: Utusan
The committee is chaired by Azhar himself and will also consist of the EC secretary, deputy secretary (operations), deputy secretary (strategic), legal adviser and special duties officers to the chairman, NST reported. In their first meeting on October 2, they discussed issues such as improving and enhancing the accuracy of voters’ registration and new voters’ registration.
One of the first things they did was to clean up the electoral roll to ensure that there were no more “phantom” voters that consisted of voters who had passed away or those who were no longer citizens of Malaysia. These names who were no longer eligible for voting were removed.
Source: Berita Harian
Azhar said, “The EC and National Registration Department (JPN), from Jan 1 to June 30 this year, removed 48,626 records of voters who have passed away and 1,208 voters who have lost their citizenships. This included the removal of 486 voters who have died and 11 voters who have lost citizenship for the Sungai Kandis, Seri Setia, Balakong and Port Dickson by-elections.” Does this mean that these names were in GE14 previously?
“Apart from that, the EC will also determine and confirm the existence many voters under one address. The EC will outline an approach or measure to increase new voters’ registrations,” he added. They will also ensure that the electoral roll is regularly maintained so that the names on it are accurate.
Source: The Borneo Post
The EC has held several meetings with JPN to discuss any issues regarding voters as well. Meanwhile, the special committee will be assisted by a working committee that will perform the necessary tasks to keep the integrity of the electoral roll intact.
“I hope with the establishment of the committee, it will be able to improve the accuracy of voters’ registration. This is one of the reforms of EC in improving the confidence and improving its image in the eyes of the people,” he added.
That is certainly the first step in the right direction! Kudos to the EC!
Also read: Cabinet Agrees to Lower Voting Age Limit From 21 to 18 Starting Next Election
