Let Sarawakians vote in other states, says Bersih

Let Sarawakians vote in other states, says Bersih

Election watchdog wants polling stations set up in all states for Sarawakians there to vote.

Bersih wants the SOPs reviewed to allow candidates and political parties to campaign face-to-face as infrastructure and online access to information is limited in Sarawak’s rural areas. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA:
Registered Sarawakian voters who live outside of the state should be allowed to cast their votes in the states where they stay, says election watchdog Bersih.

Saying that Sarawakians have a right to a fair election, it proposed that at least one polling station be set up in each state.

There are an estimated 250,000 Sarawakians living in the peninsula and Sabah, and many will not be able to go back and vote, especially because of the expensive airfare to Kuching.

“This is extremely unfair for Sarawak voters, especially the majority that can’t afford such expensive travel costs, and they would be deprived of their right to vote,” it said.

Bersih urged that the SOPs be reviewed to allow candidates and political parties to campaign face-to-face as infrastructure and online access to information is limited, especially in rural areas.

It also called for government-owned television channels such as RTM and TVS to offer all candidates and political parties contesting in the Sarawak elections fair access to media airtime.

Polling day for the upcoming 12th Sarawak state elections is Dec 18.

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