KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) has lingering concerns over the e-voting (electronic voting) system and its implementation in Malaysia, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan.
Takiyuddin said the government is currently engaging with stakeholders to decide on the viability of the system before introducing e-voting in the 15th general election (GE15), which is expected to be held by 2022.
"The implementation of e-voting raises a few challenges such as security and confidentiality issues, the cost and voters' education level.
"The EC will continue to hold engagements with relevant parties before any decision is presented to the government," he told the Dewan Rakyat during Minister Question Time, today.
Takiyuddin, who is in charge of law, was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (Barisan Nasional-Padang Terap), who asked the prime minister to indicate the readiness of EC in facing snap polls; and the possibility of introducing e-voting amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mahdzir, during his supplementary question, said many countries have applied the e-voting system with success.
Takiyuddin said while countries such as Estonia, Brazil, India, Switzerland, and the US have implemented the e-voting system, there were countries which reverted to conventional paper voting after facing certain issues.
"Several issues were raised, causing their election results to be questioned and it was proven that it is not an effective system," he said.
Fahmi Fadzil (Pakatan Harapan-Lembah Pantai), said there are areas in Malaysia where polling stations are limited, or not easily accessible to the electorate.
Takiyuddin said the EC had conducted a post-mortem on the election process for Malaysians both locally and abroad.
"For now, the EC is satisfied with the voting process locally for Malaysians abroad.
"However, improvements will be made from time to time and we hope in the 15th general election, there will be improvements on the issues you stated," he said.
Takiyuddin earlier told the Dewan Rakyat that the EC is prepared for GE15 to be held at any time.
"The EC is ready with thorough planning that covers election budgeting, equipment, logistics, systems development, human resources management and training for its officers.
"There will be additional voting centres to facilitate voting districts with a high number of voters.
"The EC is updating names on the electoral roll and would be excluding voters listed as dead or no longer Malaysian citizens from the list," he said.
Takiyuddin also said that the general election process will follow the Covid-19 guidelines under the Movement Control Order (MCO), as was implemented during the latest Chini by-election.