Restrict changing of addresses, suggests EC

The total freedom for voters to change their addresses and voting constituencies should be restricted or else it would jeopardise our democratic system, warned the Election Commission (EC).

Its deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar (right) told Malay daily Utusan Malaysia that the freedom would definitely be abused by people with vested interests to topple their political rivals in certain constituencies.

He revealed that over 50,000 people have changed their voting addresses or registered as new voters in the month of February this year, although the last general election was held based on the electoral roll updated until December last year.

The daily reported that the EC record shows that up to 9,000 voters, mostly in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Perak, applied to change their voting addresses in the month of March this year and the number dropped to over 4,500 in the following month, which was still high.

Wan Ahmad said it is a legal loophole in the current laws which allows the citizens to change their addresses in their MyKad whenever they want, especially just before a general election.

“It is very easy. You just go to the National Registration Department (NRD) to change address. This is the biggest weakness.

“Anyone who wants to change house address should attach certain documents such as sale and purchase agreement, tenancy agreement, and electrical and water bills printed with the address.

“But these documents are not attached (under the current regulations). The risk is quite big because when the house addresses are modified or changed, they could be planned by irresponsible parties,” he was quoted as saying.

After changing the address in his or her MyKad, a voter can proceed to change its voting address according to the new address in the MyKad.

Wan Ahmad said the EC cannot do anything in this issue as it only follows the NRD database when approving voters’ applications to change their voting addresses.

He stressed that voters should vote with the purpose of electing representatives who can serve them in the area where they reside, instead of ensuring the victory of certain candidates or realising the political agenda of their political parties.

“This would jeopardise the system of representative democracy practised in Malaysia,” he added.