Last updated on 10th June 2023
For overseas Malaysians registered as voters in the states of Kedah, Penang, Kelantan , Terengganu, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.
WHY SHOULD I VOTE?
The simple truth is every vote counts. Malaysians who love their country should have a say in who governs it, no matter where they are. Your vote will be the catalyst for change in the country. For example, your votes in GE14 and GE15 had an impact on reforms and caused changes such as:
- Automatic registration
- Lowering of voting age to 18
- Anti-Hopping Law
- High-profile corruption cases brought to justice
- To ensure that more positive changes happen, you need to vote.
WHY IS THERE A SEPARATE STATE ELECTION THIS TIME?
During GE 15 last November, the Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan state governments decided against the dissolution of their state government; hence state elections need to be held now before the state parliament automatically dissolves after the deadline. All the states have agreed to dissolve their state government around the same time to allow elections to be held simultaneously in these states.
SECTION ONE : OVERSEAS VOTERS
Overseas Malaysians have 3 ways to vote:
- Fly back to Malaysia to vote in person
- Register as an overseas postal voter, receive your ballot, fly back to Malaysia to physically put your vote in the ballot box
- Register as an overseas postal voter, receive your ballot, mail your ballot back to Malaysia
1. Who is eligible to vote by post?
- All overseas Malaysians above the age of 18
- Who have a permanent overseas address
- And have registered to be a postal voter on the SPR website
2. Who is eligible to vote by post for the upcoming state elections ?
Anyone who fulfilles the criteria mentioned in No 1 and is registered to vote in Kedah, Penang, Kelantan , Terengganu or Negeri Sembilan.
3. How do I know where I am registered to vote as I have never registered as a voter before?
Everyone aged 18 and above is registered automatically based on the address on their IC. You can check your voting constituency here (https://mysprsemak.spr.gov.my/)
4. How do I register to be a postal voter on the SPR website for this state election?
Two parts:
- First, register for a MySPR user account at https://myspr.spr.gov.my/login. You should do this now. Please check question 9 for more info.
If you already have a SPR user account, please make sure that it still works - Second, once your account is approved through that website, register to become a postal voter. You can only do this once SPR opens postal voter registration on 15th June 2023. Closing date will be decided soon. Follow Global Bersih social media for updates.
5. I’m a self-sponsored student. I heard only government-sponsored students can register to vote overseas. Is this true?
No. Every Malaysian above 18 with an overseas postal address can register to vote overseas.
6. I am a registered voter on vacation/taking a course abroad. Am I eligible to apply to vote by post?
No. Voters eligible to apply are residents (have a fixed address) abroad. This is to prevent postal ballot papers from failing to be delivered to voters.
7. Can I still vote personally as an ordinary voter at my polling station in Malaysia after registering as an overseas postal voter?
No. Once you register as an overseas postal voter, SPR will send your ballot to your overseas address.
8. When can I register as an overseas poster voter?
SPR has announced that overseas postal registration will start on 15th June 2023. Do check SPR’s website from time to time or follow us on social media to stay updated on the closing date. Nevertheless, you can already create a user account for the MySPR portal as you need this user account to register as an overseas postal voter later.
9. Must I register for a user account on MySPR Daftar?
Yes, when the registration for overseas postal voting is opened, all online registration will be handled through this portal. You need your Malaysian ID and a telephone number to receive the TAC(code) Here is how you register for an user account :
- Go to: https://myspr.spr.gov.my/login and click ‘Permohonan Akaun Baru’
- Fill in the form
- Upload a digital copy of your IC and a selfie with your IC
- Wait for confirmation from the Election Commission
- For individuals who just turned 18, their status will be updated about 46 days after the birth date If there are discrepancies , please follow the instructions on the dashboard.
- For illustrated version please click here
10. I voted in the last elections from overseas. Do I still have to re-register as an overseas postal voter
YES. The postal voting application must be made every time the elections come around , also for this state elections.
11. How do I register as an overseas postal voter online when the registration is opened?
- Log into your user account (Check question 8 on how to create an user account)
- Look for ‘Undi Pos’ on the main menu on the right and click on submenu ‘Permohonan’
- In Section A, choose ‘Pengundi Luar Negara’ . Be sure to click the right category to avoid rejection
- Enter passport No, and reason for residing overseas
- Review and update information on the form
- IMPORTANT: Fill in the correct mailing address where you will receive your ballots
- Read Section B carefully to ensure all details are correct and press ‘Hantar.’
- You will have to fill in your Malaysian IC number and SPR Daftar password to obtain the ‘TAC’(code) to proceed.
- Click ‘Mohon TAC,’ and the TAC will be sent the phone number you have used to register for your user account.
- Enter the TAC and click ‘Hantar’ to submit your application.
- You will receive an email and notification that your application is being processed.
- You can check your application status on the platform
- SPR will send an email to notify you if your application is approved
- For an illustrated version , please click here.
11. How will I know if my application is successful?
Log in to your user account and check the status of your application. You will also receive an email confirming if your application is successful.
SECTION TWO : VOTING FROM OVERSEAS
1. Now that I am a postal voter, what is next?
SPR will send you your ballot. This will occur after the nomination day
2. What method can I use to return the ballot paper to my polling station?
You can mail your ballot back to Malaysia via normal postal services. You are responsible for the cost of postage
Or, you can travel back to Malaysia and physically drop your vote in the ballot box
3. What documents will I receive in the envelope for overseas postal voters?
You will receive a ballot package/envelope that will contain
- Borang 2
- Envelope B
- Envelope A containing the ballot paper.
4. What do I need to do once I receive the ballot package at my overseas address?
You will receive the instructions within the ballot package. For more info click here.
5. I am an ex-Malaysian living overseas and I am not eligible to vote but still want to show my support for Malaysian elections. What can I do?
There are many ways to support if you are not eligible to vote
- Keep yourself updated and informed by checking SPR and also Global Bersih on social media
- Spread updated and valid information to mobilise and inform the diaspora.
- Take part the mobilisation campaigns
- Donate your time to be involved as a city coordinator (find out more contact@globalbersih.org)
- Make a financial donation to organisation that work with overseas Malaysians such as Global Bersih. (donate now)
SECTION THREE : AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION
In order to vote from overseas, you have to be automatically registered on the electoral roll and later you will have to actively register online as an overseas postal voter.
1. Am I eligible to vote?
From 15th December 2021, all Malaysians over the age of 18 are eligible to vote and will be automatically registered on the electoral roll.
2. Where can I go to register as a voter?
Since the introduction of automatic registration , you do not have to register to be a voter as you will be automatically registered after you turn 18.
3. How long does it take for a Malaysian citizen who has reached the age of 18 to be automatically registered as a voter by the EC?
This automatic voter registration process will take up to a month and a half from the day the individual reaches 18 years of age.
4. Am I already a registered voter?
- If you are over 18 , you should be automatically registered. You can check your voting information at the SPR portal at https://mysprsemak.spr.gov.my
- Check MySPR mobile application
- The official portal of the state Election Offices at the link http://ppn.spr.gov.my
- SPR Hotline at 03-8892 7018.
5. Are there citizens aged 18 and over who are not automatically registered?
Yes. Those with incomplete addresses are not automatically registered—likewise, those who are disqualified as voters according to the law.
6. How do I check my voting information online?
- Go to the one of the link shared above (Question 4) that will take you to the SPR website
- Choose ‘Semakan Daftar Pemilih’
- Enter your Malaysian IC number to retrieve your voting information.
- Make sure all information stated there is correct
7. What should a new voter do if there is an error in personal details or the designation of the constituency in the electoral roll?
You can apply for amendments using Form C available online at https://www.spr.gov.my.
8. Can I change my address on the Electoral Roll because I have moved to another address and want to vote in my new area?
Any application for a change of address in the voter register must follow the address in the Identity Card. He/She must first apply for a change of address on the Identification Card at the National Registration Department. After that he can apply for a change of polling place address in the voter register at https://www.spr.gov.my
9. I am no longer a Malaysian citizen but my name still appears in the electoral roll. What can I do to remove it?
SPR usually clears the electoral roll every quarter against those who have passed away and those who have given up their citizenship/ has had their citizenship revoked. If your name persists in the electoral roll 3 months after giving up your citizenship, do lodge a complaint with SPR.
10. Are there any fees or charges for amendments applications made?
None
SECTION FOUR : REDUCING THE RISKS OF ELECTORAL FRAUD
1. Why should I register as an overseas postal voter and receive my ballots at the overseas address if I don’t want to vote ?
We believe that the greatest risk is that postal ballots will be issued improperly to phantom voters on the electoral roll or in the names of those known to be overseas who have not actually applied to vote by post, in order to dilute the votes of genuine overseas postal voters.
For this reason, we believe that the risk of fraud is greater if overseas voters do not vote (thereby allowing others to apply to vote in their name), and strongly recommend that overseas Malaysians apply for a postal vote and receive the ballots even if you don’t plan to vote, because you will protect your ballots from being misused.
2. Is postal voting a reliable option? Can my vote be hijacked?
The risk exists but you can take practical steps to enhance the security of your vote:
You can choose to use a more secure postal method to return the ballots , such as registered special delivery
If time permits, you can send the ballots to a trusted person to be put personally in the ballot box at the returning officer.
SOURCES
This document has been adapted from various sources, mainly from the SPR website.
DISCLAIMER:
Information is as accurate as possible up until the time of publishing. Please note that we are awaiting the release of more guidelines and materials from EC (which can be expected to be released closer to Polling Day) and we will update this information as soon as it becomes available.
The individual voter is of course advised to exercise discretion and the author cannot be held responsible or liable for any loss or damage occurring due to the information given.
Global Bersih is an international movement of overseas Malaysians, created to support Malaysian civil society’s work and strengthen Malaysia’s maturing democracy, using peaceful and legal means of action. Please visit our social media platforms to find out more.