THE Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0) has expressed dismay over the lifting of the Emergency Proclamation in Sarawak which paved way for the Sarawak state election within 60 days.
This follows the expiry of the term of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on June 7, 2021.
“With UNDI18 and Automatic Voters Registration (AVR) scheduled for implementation at the end of this year, there would be insufficient time for an estimated 666,000 Sarawakians who would otherwise be eligible to vote for the first time, many of whom are young voters,” said the coalition.
“Despite the fact that the expiry of the Sarawak emergency is not due until Feb 2, 2022, it would be reasonable to assume that the lifting of the emergency by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after consultation with the Governor of Sarawak to trigger the election was a politically calculation to disenfranchised young voters.”
According to BERSIH 2.0, such calculated move to try and gain political advantage could backfire on the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)-led state government as well as the Federal Government when they have to face the same young voters in less than two years in the 15th General Election (GE15) for federal seats.
“We call on the Election Commission (EC) to allow Sarawakians living in Peninsular Malaysia to vote without flying back to their constituencies.
“This can be done by categorising them as absentee voters and allowed to vote in advance at mass voting centres, at least one in each state in Peninsular Malaysia.
“We also urge the Ministry of Health to work with the EC to facilitate safe voting and campaigning instead of taking the draconian measures of banning all physical election related activities, as what was done for Melaka.”
BERSIH 2.0 also urged the EC to proactively facilitate alternative safe ways of election campaigning for all candidates and political parties.
These include getting all state-owned media to provide equal airtime to all candidates and political parties to advertise their political campaign, hold debate of chief minister candidates and ensure fair news coverage for all candidates and political parties.
“This is extremely important especially in the interior areas of Sarawak where radio and television are the main source of information for the rakyat.” – Nov 5, 2021
Photo credit: BFM
