Not voting also an option in a democracy, says Rahman Dahlan

 

Many people are fed-up with politics and may choose not to vote, says former minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

PETALING JAYA: A former minister says that the right to not go to the polls to vote in elections also needs to be recognised in a democratic society.

Speaking at the Conference on Necessary Pre-GE15 Reforms, Abdul Rahman Dahlan said voter apathy and political lethargy were worldwide trends, adding that the turnout in some local elections in UK “did not even reach 50%”.

“But here’s the thing – not going to the polls to vote is also an option in a democracy,” he said.

Although some may choose not to vote out of laziness, he added that a large portion of people were just fed-up with politics, and could not see “the light at the end of the tunnel”.

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“So, we should try our best to increase voter turnout and make it easier for people to vote, but at the end of the day, it’s a way for them to express their preferences,” he said.

Rahman said that he did not believe that voter turnout in GE15 would be lower than during the Johor state elections, but added that achieving such a number should not be considered a failure.

Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching agreed that the voter turnout in GE15 would not be lower than in Johor, but said the number would also not be as high as it was in GE14.

She explained that as borders were not open during the Johor polls, many people residing in Singapore faced difficulties voting.

Teo said passing the anti-hopping bill was crucial to increase voter turnout and restore faith in democracy.

“Until today, we still hear people questioning why they should vote. They feel their votes do not hold any value if, eventually, it’s the MPs who are going to decide who leads the country.” - FMT