Give postal voters more time to register, EC told

 

The EC has been urged to extend the deadline for postal voting registration to Oct 30.

PETALING JAYA: The Election Commission has been urged to extend the deadline for Malaysians overseas to register as postal voters.

The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall said the 14-day timeframe set by the EC was insufficient as many first-time voters may not have enough knowledge of the electoral process.

The group urged the EC to extend the deadline for postal voting registration to Oct 30. It also wants the registration process to be simplified.

Separately, the assembly hall also called on the EC to announce additional polling centres in view of the increase in new voters following the lowering of the voting age and implementation of automatic voter registration.

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Some 5.8 million new voters, especially those aged 18 and above, are eligible to cast their ballots in the coming general election.

The group also urged the authorities to ensure measures were in place to allow people to vote should monsoonal floods occur.

Yesterday, electoral watchdog Bersih also urged the EC to extend the deadline for overseas postal voters.

Polling day is on Nov 19. - FMT