VoteMalaysia discloses finances, renews call for postal vote improvements

 

The VoteMalaysia movement - a volunteer effort to bring back postal ballots during the 15th general election - has disclosed receiving hundreds of thousands in donations and other support for its campaign.

Despite the grassroots support and its achievements, however, it reminded that such volunteer-based efforts are not sustainable, and the Election Commission (EC) must improve its postal voting system in time for the coming state elections.

“Though it was an incredible achievement to have organised the facilitation of the postal voting distribution in GE15, VoteMalaysia would like to emphasise that it should not fall onto the shoulders of citizens to coordinate their country’s democratic systems.

“Volunteer-based efforts are not sustainable, and action must be taken by the EC to develop the postal voting system into a more robust and effective mechanism […]

“This is incredibly important to ensure that democracy remains an active process in Malaysia, and all our voices as citizens of Malaysia are heard - no matter where in the world we are,” said Undi18, which had set up the VoteMalaysia coalition together with several student groups.

It said it received RM78,917.03 in donations through its crowdfunding campaign and about RM120,000 worth of in-kind donations such as hall rental and flight tickets.

In the interest of transparency and to express gratitude for the support, it disclosed that it allocated RM13,760 to pay volunteers’ allowances and coordination between states, RM9,334 on the programme’s direct costs such as running the sorting centre and vehicle costs, RM5,139.92 for mileage and other expense claims, and RM2,305 for “post-programme costs” to show appreciation for its partners.

The tally leaves RM48,378.11 remaining from the donations.

“VoteMalaysia intends to utilise the remaining funds for further action and advocacy to improve overseas voting mechanisms,” it said.

The movement

The VoteMalaysia movement was set up in September last year in response to shortcomings in the EC’s postal voting system during the 2018 general election as well as last year’s Johor state election, which disenfranchised many Malaysians living abroad.

It succeeded in delivering 35,092 postal ballots, which amounts to 73 percent of all those registered to vote overseas during the election last November.

However, six states whose elections are due soon did not hold state elections during the 15th general election. These must be held by the middle of this year.

The six state governments - Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan - have reached a consensus to dissolve their state assemblies in the second half of June, in order to pave way for the elections to be held within 60 days after dissolution.

However, the plan must still be approved by their respective political party leaders, before being presented for assent by the heads of each state. - Mkini