Nothing to fear over e-voting system, PKR tells members

The PKR election committee today reassured its members that they need not fear the adoption of an e-voting system in the upcoming party polls.

Committee deputy chairperson Adzman Hedra said that PKR decided to use this e-voting system as an upgrade to the conventional balloting process.

"The e-voting system, there is actually nothing to be afraid of. The system is just a transformation from voting on paper to digital, that's all," he said during a press conference at the party's headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

Responding to concerns over the possible leak of personal data, Adzman said PKR had worked with an e-voting software programmer to develop the system.

"For nearly one year, we went back and forth with the programmer to develop a system, of which we are confident of its integrity and that it is more secure than manual voting," he said. 

According to Adzman, the e-voting method will also remove errors from the process of counting votes.

"If we count votes manually, we will be exposed to mistakes. If we count votes digitally, the counting is much more accurate. 

"In short, when a member comes to cast their votes, they need to show their IC and they will be given a QR code which will be scanned," he explained.

As PKR elections committee secretary Ismail Yusof revealed, the party has prepared 600 tablets to be used for the e-voting process.

Depending on the expected voter turnout, he said PKR's political bureau would also consider adding another 100 tablets to be used throughout the nine-week voting period nationwide.

Monitored by external auditor

Meanwhile, the election committee's system and data officer Alvin Teoh said the party has appointed an independent external auditor to oversee the entire e-voting process.

"But before announcing the name of the company, I will have to clear it with them," he said.

Teoh also denied claims that the e-voting software was developed in collaboration with Selangor government-linked thinktank Institut Darul Ehsan.

"No. They only assisted us in several projects (in the past). That's all," he said.

The PKR election will commence on Aug 24, and the full results are expected to be announced in November at the party's annual national congress. - Mkini