EC: No phantom voters on electoral roll

EC: No phantom voters on electoral roll


March 31, 2011


http://www.niei.org.my/?p=721


MIRI: There are no phantom voters in the state, said Election Commission (EC) deputy chairman Datuk Wira Wan Ahmad Wan Omar.

He said this was because the electoral roll had gone through proper checking, verification and clearing by the commission.

“Until now we did not detect or receive any complaints from anyone, particularly from political parties, on the issue (phantom voters) during every election in Sarawak,” said Wan Ahmad after attending a briefing yesterday.

He explained that the names of voters who had passed away had been removed from the roll.

“We have gone through the electoral list before and until the dissolution of the state cabinet on March 21. We are working together with the National Registration Department, checking on those who have passed away.”

However, he said it was inevitable that some names might still be on the electoral roll because they passed away after the dissolution.

He also clarified that those who were not living in the towns or villages where they registered could still return to vote in those areas.

“It is their right for some to go back to their home towns to vote after living and working in other towns or states and they cannot be categorised as phantom voters,” Wan Ahmad said.

The EC was confident that the electoral roll was clean, he said, and that there were no duplication of names and polling stations.

Voters, he said, would also be properly screened as they had to produce their MyKad at polling stations in order to vote.

On the EC’s preparation of logistics in rural areas, Wan Ahmad said: “We are very confident and optimistic that everything would run smoothly.”

He said they had planned based on past experience and anticipation of the number of voters and locality.

“We have learnt from past experience and anticipation. But then anything could happen and we will deal
with the situation if it happens.

“As far as our preparations are concerned, they are all done equally with proper focus and concentration,” he said, adding that the last result would be announced by 11pm.



news source:borneopost online