How to protect the secrecy of your vote for GE13 Malaysia

Most Malaysian citizens are probably looking forward to the GE13 to vote and make a difference. With Bersih trying to clean up the election acts and loads of independent such as Tindak Malaysia, Jom Pantau PRU13 - KOMAS, MAFREL, NIEI coming in to educate and monitor, we are hoping the rakyat of Malaysia will know what they can and cannot do during the election day.

One of the GE13 Voting Tips, which I posted in May - (Tip 2) is now updated as follows (refer Tindak Malaysia):

1. In order to prevent a voter from ensuring the secrecy of his vote, the SPR wants to insist upon issuing the ballot paper by sequence. They have sought the advice of the Attorney General and this is the advice given to them apparently:

"The Presiding Officer shall refuse the Voter's request for a random paper and if he protest, to evict him from the polling station. Let them go to court to challenge the Presiding Officer's decision."

What is the strategy behind this?

1. To inflict fear in the voter about the secrecy of their vote.
2. To reduce the votes of voters deemed to be trouble-makers.

What can you do?
If the Presiding Officer refuses to issue the ballot paper randomly, don't protest. Just accept the paper issued and VOTE ACCORDING TO YOUR CONSCIENCE!
Note down the name of the Presiding Officer and immediately lodge a report against him for violating the secrecy of your vote.

Pass a copy of the report to:
o the Candidate you support,
o Email one copy to JOM PANTAU - http://pru13.info/ushahidi/.
o and to : pacaba.admin@tindakmalaysia.com.

For more info go to www.tindakmalaysia.com

United, let's make a change for the better!

Voting Tips For GE13

I went to Jom Pantau on 26th May, Saturday to see if I could learn more about how elections are run in Malaysia, and maybe volunteer as an observer of election happenings. As far as I know, Jom Pantau is a non political organization that observes elections and educates the people of their voting rights so that real democracy continues to exist. It was certainly an informative day as 4 presentations were given on different topics in relation to elections by different speakers from various organizations.
The most important points that I got out of the workshop are our rights to vote and how we may protect our votes. So I am going to share them with you here in hope that our votes are protected and counted successfully.
At present:
Register to be a voter, or if you are already registered, check your voter status and confirm you are registered. You may do so by two ways:
(i) Online: http://daftarj.spr.gov.my/NEWDAFTARJ/ - Print a copy of your confirmation slip and safekeep the slip. If your status is not available during the a status check a few days before polling day, or not available in the list at the polling centre on polling day, I suppose you may use your print out confirmation slip to insist on your right as a registered citizen to vote.
(ii) SMS: SPR<space>semak<space>new IC No, and send it to 15888.

 These tips are provided by Tindak Malaysia:

A few days before polling day:

1. Please check your voter status online or via SMS.
2. Find out and ensure you know the location of your polling centre.
3. Make sure you remember your chosen candidate's name and party logo.

On polling/election day:

1. Ensure you do not display any party logo or candidate's name or image on your clothing or any document or items you bring to the polling centre. It is an offence to campaign on the polling day, and you may be accused of campaigning.

2. Your vote is protected by the Election Laws. To guarantee secrecy of your vote, RANDOMIZE your ballot paper. Here is what you can do:

• The SPR clerk will give you the top ballot paper. Each ballot paper has a serial number. It is possible to match your name to the serial number. Doing this is an offence under Section 5. Maintenance of secrecy at elections of the Election Offences Act 1954. 
• Ask the SPR clerk to give you another ballot paper from the same booklet. Say: "Encik/Puan, saya minta kertas undi yang lain dari bawah." If necessary, keep on saying: "Saya mahu pastikan yang undi saya adalah rahsia." 
• If the clerk refuses, tell the clerk that anyone who violates Section 5 can face the penalty of either up to 1 year imprisonment, or up to RM3,000 fine, or both. The polling agent will help you. 

 3. Check the ballot paper you receive is clean (no marks or writing), not torn, clearly perforated and has a serial number. If any of the conditions are not met, immediately ask for a new ballot paper.

4. At the voting booth, mark an "X" clearly inside the right hand box next to the name of the candidate you are voting for. Please ensure the "X" is written inside the box and not out of the box.

The power is in the rakyat's hand - so ensure you are registered and vote wisely for the candidate you believe will do the job of upholding the integrity and successful growth of Malaysia!

Bersih Rally 3.0 News from BBC World As Opposed to Astro News

We need to know the whole news and not censored versions! Please help spread the truth.

Aftermath of Bersih 3.0 Rally

What is happening now? Can Malaysia have the change that the rakyat wants? Can Malaysia have a clean and fair election as the rakyat wants?
Independent opinions find EC backward. Is the Malaysian government going to do anything about this or continue to be arrogant?

BN needs to know we want a clean and fair election. From Bersih rally 2.0 last year, it seems they are still refusing to listen, and instead chose to take a harsh stand for Bersih Rally 3.0. They prefer to blame it as a political rally supported by the opposition. I do not support any parties in particular as I only want to make my choice on the party that works for the rakyat, and this remains to be seen. It is good the opposition supports the Bersih Rally, as it shows that they too want a clean and fair election as do the rakyat of Malaysia, and it will be good if BN can see that too, instead of seeing it as a threat to the interest of the country.

Bear in mind, most countries have peaceful demonstrations all the time, and most times, they end peacefully as well.

I have yet to see one peaceful demonstration in Malaysia where the government supports the cause and allow the rakyat to show their support peacefully. Instead, it seems, the organizers are always blamed, and the police are always using tear gas tactics and violence to control the crowd.

I certainly hope that we do not have another Bersih Rally again and this can only happen if a clean and fair election is established. Long Live Bersih!