KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) is advocating for structural reforms to empower it to update voters' polling addresses according to those listed on their MyKad, a move deemed essential for strengthening Malaysia's residency-based electoral system.
EC commissioner Zoe Randhawa highlighted that current legal restrictions have led to outdated voter records, including instances where individuals remain registered at demolished residential blocks in Kuala Lumpur, distorting constituency representation.
"One significant issue in our electoral system is that voters can choose whether to update their voting address. This means apartment blocks in Kuala Lumpur demolished decades ago can still have voters registered there.
"The EC lacks the authority to update these addresses, causing a ripple effect on how MPs are elected and how they represent their local communities.
"I believe a major structural reform needed is the power to update people's voting addresses in line with their identity cards," she said on Bernama TV's programme "The Nation" titled "Beyond The Ballot" on Thursday (Nov 20).
Regarding complaints from Sabahans and Sarawakians working in Peninsular Malaysia about having to fly home to vote, Randhawa explained that constituency assignments in Malaysia are strictly based on residence. Allowing cross-state voting would undermine the first-past-the-post system.
"This ties back to residential voting and ensuring you vote where you live, not based on birthplace or origin. Article 119 of the Federal Constitution states it's about residency.
"When registered to vote, the constituency is determined by your residential address. If you live in Kuala Lumpur, you're registered as a voter there," she explained.
She added that allowing Sabah and Sarawak voters living in Peninsular Malaysia to vote across state lines would undermine the core principle of Malaysia's residency-based first-past-the-post system, which ensures voters are represented in the communities where they actually reside. - Bernama