EC laments over small number of overseas postal voters

The Election Commission (EC) has expressed disappointment that only 6,298 Malaysians abroad had registered as postal voters for the 13th general election.

Its chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, said the figure was too small compared to the number of Malaysians living abroad.

"We have information that millions of Malaysians are living overseas, but only a small number have registered, possibly because they are busy with their work.

"It is also possible that those who have not registered as postal voters may return to the country to vote. We hope that is the case," he told reporters after a visit to the EC media centre here.

Malaysians living abroad had the oppostunity to register as postal voters between Jan 21 and midnight last night, that is on the day of dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat.

Abdul Aziz said only 2,900 absentee voters would cast postal ballots in this general election.

Absentee voters comprise military personnel and their spouses, members of the civil service serving abroad and their spouses living with them, and full-time students abroad and their spouses living with them.