The electoral reform watchdog says a 100 percent turnout would strengthen democracy.
KUALA LUMPUR: Electoral reform watchdog, Bersih 2.0, launched a programme called “Jom 100” to increase voter turnout for the 13th general election.
Bersih 2.0 chairman S Ambiga said: “A 100 percent turnout would strengthen democracy and mitigate gerrymandering and electoral fraud.”
At a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall here, she also said that 100 percent voter turnout would allow the people to re-shape the future of Malaysia.
She added that the Jom 100 programme is geared towards educating voters on their rights and importance of casting their voters.
Ambiga also urged overseas-based Malaysian voters to return and vote in the general election.
“If the Election Commission (EC) doesn’t make arrangements at the embassies, please come home and vote.
“Some are already looking into that possibility,” she said following a High Court decision to dismiss a case by six UK-based Malaysians to compel the EC to allow them to vote as absent voters.
Jom 100 will kick off after the Chinese New Year holidays next week with a focus on rural constituencies. The campaign will start in Kuala Terengganu on Friday.
Ambiga also welcomed the government, political parties and NGOs to jointly embark on this non-partisan campaign.
“We are more than happy if the government enabled people to vote. We welcome political parties to spread the word. We have been in collaboration with other NGOs,” she said.
Ambiga, the former Bar Council president, said there are more than three million eligible Malaysians who are not registered voters.
To question, she also did not rule out the possibility of a Bersih 3.0 rally if the demands of Bersih 2.0 are not met before the next general election.
“We are trying all those things – negotiations with the EC, the Parliametary Select Committee (PSC) on election reforms – but if the recommendations are not fulfilled, do not rule out Bersih 3.0,” she said.
She also said holding the general election before Bersih’s demands are met meant that the government had “no respect for the PSC, Parliament and the people”.
Ambiga announced the appointment of national laureate, A Samad Said, as Bersih co-chairman and Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia chairman Ahmad Shukri Razak as Bersih 2.0 committee member.
KUALA LUMPUR: Electoral reform watchdog, Bersih 2.0, launched a programme called “Jom 100” to increase voter turnout for the 13th general election.Bersih 2.0 chairman S Ambiga said: “A 100 percent turnout would strengthen democracy and mitigate gerrymandering and electoral fraud.”
At a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall here, she also said that 100 percent voter turnout would allow the people to re-shape the future of Malaysia.
She added that the Jom 100 programme is geared towards educating voters on their rights and importance of casting their voters.
Ambiga also urged overseas-based Malaysian voters to return and vote in the general election.
“If the Election Commission (EC) doesn’t make arrangements at the embassies, please come home and vote.
“Some are already looking into that possibility,” she said following a High Court decision to dismiss a case by six UK-based Malaysians to compel the EC to allow them to vote as absent voters.
Jom 100 will kick off after the Chinese New Year holidays next week with a focus on rural constituencies. The campaign will start in Kuala Terengganu on Friday.
Ambiga also welcomed the government, political parties and NGOs to jointly embark on this non-partisan campaign.
“We are more than happy if the government enabled people to vote. We welcome political parties to spread the word. We have been in collaboration with other NGOs,” she said.
Ambiga, the former Bar Council president, said there are more than three million eligible Malaysians who are not registered voters.
To question, she also did not rule out the possibility of a Bersih 3.0 rally if the demands of Bersih 2.0 are not met before the next general election.
“We are trying all those things – negotiations with the EC, the Parliametary Select Committee (PSC) on election reforms – but if the recommendations are not fulfilled, do not rule out Bersih 3.0,” she said.
She also said holding the general election before Bersih’s demands are met meant that the government had “no respect for the PSC, Parliament and the people”.
Ambiga announced the appointment of national laureate, A Samad Said, as Bersih co-chairman and Solidariti Mahasiswa Malaysia chairman Ahmad Shukri Razak as Bersih 2.0 committee member.
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