Bersih 2.0 tells govt to improve political system first instead of punishing voters

[superadmin]

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 — Punishing voters who do not vote is not a viable solution and is inconsistent with the principle of freedom of choice by the people, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) said today.

Bersih 2.0 in a statement said that the government should instead educate the public on the importance of voting, voting process and democratic principles via voting education programmes, adding that public participation is fundamental in the electoral process and is a sacred right of the people.

It added that the government should also focus on improving its voting access to the public so that Malaysians can carry out their responsibilities as voters.

“Punitive measures without providing good infrastructures, assistance and opportunities to the people will only erode voters' trust in the democratic and electoral process as they will vote because they are compelled to and not because of their responsibility,” they said.

Bersih 2.0 added that certain reforms need to be implemented immediately to improve voters to voting, such as fixing the election date, improving infrastructure for people with disabilities to vote, providing a voting period instead of a voting day, expanding absentee voting rights to those who reside outside of their constituency and adding more polling stations and polling streams to reduce long queues.


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