Postal voting for military and police personnel has been redefined as advance voting and will be handled only by Election Commission (EC) officers in the next general election. EC deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said advance voting would be fully handled by specially designated assistant returning officers (ROs) instead of the personnel’s superior officers in military camps and district police headquarters.
Whilst abolishing postal voting, except for members of the national security forces operating overseas and at the borders, is welcome there is concern that there is no difference in ensuring a free, fair, neutral and independent elections if political parties still do not have full access during the voting process. DAP insists that monitors of political parties and EC must be present during the voting process to ensure that there is no manipulation or cheating.
All Malaysian law enforcement and armed forces personnel sacrifice their lives every day to protect our country and should also enjoy the same rights and privileges as everyone else. Therefore, voting should be made as easy and accessible as possible for them.

