The National Institute for Electoral Integrity (NIEI), Center for Independent Journalism and Merdeka Center have recently concluded its national voter registration audit to improve the quality, transparency and integrity of the election process.
In the following interview, K Shan, acting chairperson of NIEI talks about the following:
- how the electoral roll fares, according to the audit
- why NIEI is recommending to abolish the ouster clause Section 9A of the Election Act 1958
- why there is a perceived lack of confidence in the electoral roll and EC
- the problem of unidentified addresses and how this affects voters and the electoral process
- effect of historical drift on the electoral roll
- weak voter transfer mechanism and outsourcing of voter registration
- voter attitudes towards registration and checking of electoral roll
- learnings from the audit and recommendations to clean up the electoral roll
- proposals for database departments within local municipal councils
