Ex-servicemen to monitor voting in police, military camps

National Patriots Association says its members will be actively involved in monitoring early voting, and calls on voters to do their patriotic duty and vote in GE14.

KUALA LUMPUR: Members of the National Patriots Association (Patriot) will be stationed at the various military and police camps throughout the country to monitor early voting on May 5.

Patriot president Brig Gen (rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji said in a statement today that the organisation, which comprises ex-servicemen and retired police officers, had decided to play an active role in early voting.

“Due to popular request from countless Malaysians throughout the country, Patriots offer ourselves to be polling agents on 5 May, and at the same time help monitor the conduct of the electoral event.
“Patriot wishes to see the event be conducted fairly for all political parties and candidates. On 5 May our members will be present in the various military and police camps throughout the country for monitoring purpose.”

Arshad reminded voters – in particular civil servants, military and police personnel – that their vote was secret.

“It is your constitutional right to vote whichever party or candidate you like. The voting regulation and the process of issuing voting slips to each and every voter makes it impossible for your vote to be traced back to you.

“For the serving military and police personnel and your spouses, no one can cast your vote for you. Anyone casting the vote for you is committing an offence under the Election Offences Act 1954.”

Arshad urged voters to be true Malaysian patriots and do their patriotic duty by coming out to vote.

“We have much to do after this general election. We need to reunite our society, to rebuild our country, and to make Malaysia great again. Every Malaysian, every ethnic group, every single person, must be made to feel important and with a sense of belonging to this country. Patriot invites all Malaysians to share our vision, to build a harmonious, prosperous and progressive nation.”

The Election Commission has fixed nomination day on April 28, early voting on May 5, and voting proper on May 9. - FMT