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Pos Malaysia and the Election Commission should both ensure the smooth
functioning of the current voter registration exercise
Press Statement
by John Chung
(Petaling Jaya,
Monday):
Last Friday, the Election Commission (EC) took Pos Malaysia to task over the
latter's handling of the voter registration exercise following complaints
from the public. EC secretary Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar pointed out that the
complaints include insufficient registration forms, long queues and various
technical problems.
Such shortcomings should be quickly resolved to ensure that the present
exercise is not jeopardized. As it is now, the number of eligible Malaysians
who have registered as voters is still very low. Failure on the part of Pos
Malaysia to rectify these problems and upgrade its services would only turn
away frustrated young Malaysians from registering as voters.
Indeed, Pos Malaysia, as a public services entity, should ensure a greater
level of efficiency in line with public expectations especially after its
privatization. Nevertheless, the EC should not entirely heap the blame on
Pos Malaysia as the commission should also rectify any system glitches on
its part.
The Star had on 25 March 2003 published a letter by a reader who complained
about the inefficient service by both Pos Malaysia and the EC. Despite three
visits to the post office, he was unable to register himself as a voter due
to system linkage problems. On his third visit, he was informed by the
officer in charge that the commission's system was down and no connection
could be established.
Both Pos Malaysia and the EC should therefore work hand in hand to ensure
the smooth functioning of the voter registration exercise so that it is not
undermined by avoidable problems caused by inefficiency. At the same time,
both parties should step up efforts to encourage more eligible Malaysians to
register as voters by creating greater awareness through the media and
putting up publicity posters and billboards in all public areas.
(31/3/2003)
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John Chung, DAP
National Publicity Bureau Assistant Secretary
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http://dapmalaysia.org