As the GE14 getting closer, the intensity gets stronger
Now Overseas Malaysians are Frustrated With Late Ballot Papers
Reports from ChannelNewsAsia that In Nottingham UK, a Malaysian student Ana (not her real name) has just found out the ballot paper will only be arriving on May 9 which is the the day of the elections.
She say to “Surely the Election Commission knew the ballot papers would not reach here and be posted back in time?”
“I especially feel saddened as this would have been my first time voting in a general election.”
Not just in UK but in US, New Jersey – Charlene Wong-Podany is feeling the same frustrations
“My ballot paper is arriving here on the end of the day on May 7, meaning May 8 morning, Malaysian time,” she says.
“Short of chartering a private jet and flying off the moment DHL delivers my ballot papers, it’s impossible to get it back in time … I tried to intercept my ballot papers (at the airport) … so that I could still get on a plane to fly back to deliver it personally.
But according to new guidelines, the Election Commission will post ballot papers to overseas voters (not for those who live in Singapore or Southern Thailand). And it’s their own responsibility to mail it back to their constituencies by 5pm on May 9, from wherever they are.
Global Bersih are offering to collect completed ballot papers, then fly them back to Kuala Lumpur from places like New Zealand and there are others, are offering to do so of their own accord on social media.
Polling for this time will be held on a Wednesday – the first weekday elections in almost 20 years. The date has since been declared a public holiday in Malaysia but thousands working overseas would have to take leave or fork out money for flights to get home.