KUCHING: About 2,000 respondents among netizens responded to a twitter poll conducted by Bersih 2.0 on why so many are not registered as voters yet.
According to Bersih 2.0 Vice-Chairperson, Ann Teo more than half said they were disappointed with political parties.
“Another 39% said that elections were either useless or that they were a farce. Surprisingly, 9% said they do not know how to become a registered voter!,” she pointed out during a press conference at the U Campaign at Kenyalang Park Post office here, yesterday.
Ann said if its 9% of the yet unregistered of 4.2 million, then they would like to speak to these 378,000 people and asked them to go register to vote.
“And that they can do so by going to the nearest computerised Post Office just like their friends here this morning who have come to take a number at this Post Office.
“Other methods or ways include registering at the Election Commission (SPR) office as well as through an officer appointed by SPR,” she said.
She added that as for the majority who gave reasons like they were disappointed with political parties or that their votes do not matter or that elections are a farce, we would like them to see that the right to vote is precious but they will not know unless they have ’tasted’.
“Once they have this right, they can then not only vote the person of their choice but they can participate more in the democratic or political process for example engaging with their wakil rakyat or area representative and directly influence his/her decisions regarding issues that they cared about.
“After all l think most of us agree that everyday we are affected by decisions that our elected officials or politicians make,” she stressed.
Ann said hence with the current system of electing our leaders the people can only ‘find their voice’ if they are registered voters.
“The first step is to register as one and therefore this is the reason for the launching of the U campaign today here,” she said.
Ann said basically it is a month-long campaign this month by Bersih 2.0 to raise awareness about registering to vote for those who have just reached 21 years old and still unregistered as a voter.
“The Election Commission processes the applications every quarter or every three months and the one coming up is on 31 March. To get a better chance at participating as a voter in the upcoming 14th General Election, we are telling people to register as soon as possible this month,” she said.
Besides at post offices, Bersih Sarawak will also be setting up counters and voter registration booths where their volunteers will assist in the registration led by various participating NGOs and political parties.
Voter-registration booths will be set up at Uptown Samarahan on 18 March from 7pm to 9pm, Siburan Bazaar Kopitiam on 19 March from 8am to 2pm, Kuching Sentral on 25 March and 26 March from 11am to 7pm.
