Getting ready: Election workers Amelina Idris (left) and Suhaili Saufi making final preparations at the SMK Puncak Jalil polling centre in Seri Kembangan. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Here’s a gentle reminder for Malaysians going to the polls today.
To ensure your vote is counted, you need to mark an “X” next to the box of your choice on the ballot paper, said the Election Commission (EC).
An “X” made within the space for the candidate’s symbol on the ballot paper will also be accepted.
But votes will be rejected if there are any marks that extend beyond the space provided for one candidate to another candidate.
Ballot papers are also considered spoiled if there are any marks or writings that can identify the voter, such as their names being written.
Pictures drawn on any space provided for the candidates will also be deemed a spoiled ballot paper.
According to EC guidelines, once a voter is allowed to enter the polling station, the person must hand over the MyKad or identity document to the first polling clerk and show both hands for inspection.
The first polling clerk will pass the document to the second polling clerk for verification. The voter must ensure the MyKad number and name mentioned by the first polling clerk is accurate.
After that, the voter proceeds to dip the index finger of his left hand into the indelible ink bottle.
The name of the voter will be marked by the first polling clerk on the voters’ list.
The third polling clerk will give a ballot paper to the voter, who will proceed to the polling station chief’s desk to leave his mobile phone.
Once the person casts his vote, the mobile phone can be collected.
(The EC announced that mobile phones were not allowed in polling centres.)
Voters in Perlis, Perak and Pahang will receive two ballot papers, one to vote for a Member of Parliament and another for a state assemblyman.
The time for voting in Peninsular Malaysia is from 8am to 6pm while for Sabah and Sarawak, it will be between 7.30am and 5.30pm.
About 21.17 million voters are eligible to cast their ballot today.
