It could lead to injustice, said Berish 2.0 chairman Thomas Fann and Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs.
Ahmad, the MP for Pontian, recently called for an amendment to the Federal Constitution to make it compulsory for Malaysians to vote in elections, suggesting that violators be fined or prohibited from renewing their driving licences.
Ahmad pointed out that voting is compulsory in 22 countries, including Thailand and Singapore.
Fann said he believed Malaysia should maintain its respect of citizens’ right to choose not to vote.
“We disagree with the proposal to make voting compulsory as we believe it violates people’s right to choose to participate or not,” he told FMT.
“If we want to see higher voter turnout, we should not use punitive measures but instead educate voters on the importance of voting.
“With Undi18 being implemented soon, we need to start civic education to impart understanding of the voting process and the importance of voting. That would be a better way to improve democratic participation.”
He said politicians should focus on restoring people’s trust in the political system and in democracy by fixing systemic weaknesses and loopholes allowing mid-term changes of governments through party hopping.
“They must give people a reason to believe that it is still worthwhile to come out to vote in GE15.”
Oh said compulsory voting might unjustly penalise Malaysians in the rural areas who often faced difficulties in casting their votes on polling day. This was especially true of out-of-region voters in East Malaysia, he added.
He said the government should focus on more significant election issues, such as improving the voting system and making it easier for rural voters.
He also said he believed Ahmad’s call would benefit only Umno.
“So far, Umno is the only party with the logistical capacity to provide transportation assistance to potential voters in rural areas,” he said.
“I don’t think other parties have a similar capacity. Therefore, only Umno can bring voters out to cast their votes.”