KUALA LUMPUR – Has the government apparently breached voter anonymity?
These concerns were raised by members of the public today after observing officials on duty taking details of their personal information.
In Petaling Jaya, a voter at SMK (P) Taman Petaling was shocked when he saw the police officer on duty outside the voting stream allegedly noting down the voter’s race and gender.
Speaking to The Vibes on the condition of anonymity, the voter questioned why this needed to be done, as ballots were supposed to be secret.
“Why does race need to come into the picture?” he added.
The Vibes was able to confirm that this was in fact taking place at the polling centre in question.
Police officers outside the voting streams were seen in possession of a yellow booklet with the emblem of the Royal Malaysia Police as well as the words “Officer Voting Stream Log Book” on the cover.
When asked about it, a police officer on duty said that this was “an instruction from above”.
“We need to take note of these details (race, gender). What if they (superiors) ask for it and we don’t have the information ? We’ll be in trouble,” the officer was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, in Johor, reports emerged that voters were asked to write down their names and phone numbers before entering the voting rooms.
This was revealed by Kulai incumbent Teo Nie Ching who said that she received reports of such activity at SK Bandar Putra, Kulai.
She added that after objection from her and her officers, the papers containing the names and phone numbers were destroyed. – The Vibes, November 19, 2022
