Fixed-term Parliament might be key to resolving overseas voters’ woes, says Kok

 

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok says the Election Commission must take accountability for the process of improving the overseas voter system.

PETALING JAYA: A Fixed-term Parliament Act (FTPA) might be a silver bullet for Malaysians, especially those waiting for an improved overseas electoral system, says Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.

Kok said Malaysians overseas had long lamented the lack of clear steps and up-to-date information on the voting process set by the Election Commission (EC).

For example, she said, in the 2013 general election, Malaysians were allowed to cast their votes at Malaysian foreign missions (MFMs). However, they were unable to do so in the following general election.

Kok also noted other issues faced by overseas voters, including the short time frame for the EC to send ballot papers to Malaysians and for them to vote and return the ballot papers.

She said it could cost between RM376 and RM469 to send the ballot papers back to Malaysia from the US and Europe using private courier services, which might still take three to four days. By normal post, she added, it could take up to 21 days.

Kok said the proposed FTPA would prevent a prime minister from “waking up one day and having to resign or dissolve Parliament”, which she added would thrust the nation into one election after another at the whim and fancy of MPs and political parties.

She cited the example of Kenya’s constitution, which requires a general election to be held on the second Tuesday of August in every fifth year.

“This fixed term keeps the power of the (Kenyan) president and the government in check and, at the same time, prevents permanent misrule,” she said in a statement.

In the event of war, elections could be delayed with a two-thirds majority vote on a resolution in the lower and upper houses, she added.

She said the EC must take accountability for the process of improving the overseas voter system, highlighting Global Bersih’s recommendations, including that Malaysians be allowed to register any time before Parliament is dissolved.

Other recommendations include a one-week period to validate an overseas postal voter, for the EC to work with MFMs to identify how long it takes for ballot papers to be sent to overseas locations and to be returned, and to extend postal voting for the Bornean states as well as Singapore, Brunei, Kalimantan and Southern Thailand.

Recently, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi proposed that a special bill be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat to prevent any attempt to unseat an elected government.

Zahid, who is also the Umno president, said such a law was vital to ensure that the ruling coalition stays in power for the full term, and to stamp out threats by the opposition to change the government. - FMT