KUCHING: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) has welcomed the study to implement a system to allow young Sabahans and Sarawakians residing in the peninsula, to cast their ballots wherever they are.
Its Youth chief Datuk Snowdan Lawan said although it was necessary to honour the democratic right of every citizen to vote, it (voting right) was currently being handicapped by not having a system that allows everyone to vote regardless where they are.
“If the young voters, especially those studying in the peninsula, are unable to vote, then the implementation of the Undi 18 has defeated its purpose,” he said in a statement today.
He was asked to comment on the recent study conducted by the Election Commission (EC) to implement a voting system to ensure Sarawakians and Sabahans residing in the peninsula, to have the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote wherever they are.
As enshrined in the Federal Constitution, all citizens of legal status and legitimate age should not be deprived of their voting rights.
Furthermore, he said, with the implementation of Undi 18, the government needs to explore the means so that the lawful will be legitimate; this could be facilitated through either postal voting or online voting.
Snowdan said allowing young people, especially students to vote online or via postal vote would be workable and good ideas to enable them to feel the “empowerment” of their rights.
Meanwhile, for those who are residing permanently in the peninsula, he said, they may opt to change their address and vote there.
“Secondly, those who are working or studying in the other states may opt to come back to vote or via postal vote if there is a means. Either way, it’s the choice of each individual voter to exercise his or her democratic rights,” he added.
Citing an example, Snowdan said, Estonia was a fine example where e-democracy was advocated by i-voting (online voting) for citizens who were studying or working overseas.
He said the system allowed voters to cast their ballots anywhere in the world and log into the system using the e-ID issued by their government.
“As such, every voter can fulfil his obligation as a responsible citizen,” he added.
