PETALING JAYA: The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) is appealing to the public in a bid to raise some RM60,000 to aid their efforts in monitoring the coming state elections.
The electoral watchdog said this included the cost of conducting various programmes and activities it intended to carry out.
Among the programmes included was mobilising some 89 Election Observers to monitor any election offences and hate speech at 61 hot seats.
"Although our observers are volunteers and do not expect any sort of remuneration, Bersih will still bear the travel and food expenses incurred," the Bersih steering committee said in a statement on Tuesday (July 11).
Other programmes Bersih lined up were to counter misinformation by updating the pemantau.org website, specifically dedicated for lodging reports on election offences and other election related issues.
"We will also be conducting voter education activities by establishing a call centre to answer enquiries on voter registration, postal votes, voting centres and more," it added.
Bersih said a campaign dubbed #VoteLokal will also be launched to encourage a higher voter turnout alongside persuading voters residing in other states to return home and cast their ballots.
"A high voter turnout is essential for democracy.
"It also adds legitimacy to the election results and new state governments," it said.
The steering committee added that donations in any amount were welcomed as it allowed Bersih to monitor the state polls and get voters out to exercise their democratic rights.
"Every ringgit donated will be accounted for.
"A report will also be published upon the conclusion of the state polls," it said.
The state elections in Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan would be held on Aug 12, with early polling on Aug 8. Nomination day is July 29.
For more information on Bersih, visit bersih.org
