tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7306009336680641277.post2096280718575590608..comments2024-02-29T06:48:42.520+08:00Comments on P116: SPR: to random or not to randomresident.wangsamajuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12679072482217684577noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7306009336680641277.post-51237738190207518182012-08-23T20:29:58.081+08:002012-08-23T20:29:58.081+08:00PY, the ball is at SPR's footPY, the ball is at SPR's footLee Wee Takhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07642184470249251353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7306009336680641277.post-18184735296012241412012-08-23T00:05:05.403+08:002012-08-23T00:05:05.403+08:00Wee Tak, good article. A fundamental principle of ...Wee Tak, good article. A fundamental principle of Free and Fair Elections is the opportunity to vote free from fear. One of the safeguards is secrecy of voting. This is protected by law and the Election Offences Act devote one whole section to it - S5 Maintaining secrecy at elections. This is reinforced in Section 39.<br /><br />On top of that, under the Conduct of Elections, there are very elaborate procedures on how to protect the secrecy of the vote.<br />Eg Regulation 13(3), 19(5) and 19(8). The penalty for violation is RM 3,000 or 1 years jail or both on conviction. It is classified as a seizable offence under the meaning of the Criminal Procedure Code, which means that you can make a citizen arrest of the offender.<br /><br />Obviously, the Govt takes this seriously, at least on paper. So why don't we give effect to it by randomizing the issue of the ballot paper. It is so intuitive. So far, thousands of people have been exposed to this technique and they have expressed satisfaction with it.<br /><br />pywonggranddaddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11590475055410434945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7306009336680641277.post-21427599897959951392012-08-22T23:10:25.207+08:002012-08-22T23:10:25.207+08:00Regarding the recording of voter sequence, a Polli...Regarding the recording of voter sequence, a Polling Agent who does not need to monitor the conduct of the polling process can record each Nombor Bilangan as it is called out by the Kerani. The Ketua Tempat Mengundi (KTM) can also do that.<br /><br />The KTM is a temporary employee of the SPR. While he is sworn to secrecy, there is no specific regulation or law that prohibits his recording the Bilangan. Ditto for the Polling Agent. If they are members of the incumbent party, they would have sufficient motive to record the numbers.<br /><br />Of course, if all candidates are represented at the destruction of the Ballots, irregularities can be prevented. But the reality is that, previously, opposition candidates have not been able to sustain the effort and do not send agents to witness the destruction.<br /><br />Since this entire argument is about cheating by the incumbent, the presence of an MP or ADUN is no assurance. If the Ballots can be accessed for just a short while, the serial number and voted candidate can be quickly captured before the ballots are destroyed. The data can be matched with the Bilangan sequence at leisure.<br /><br />Government servants are already fearful of the lack of secrecy of their vote. This fear has been exploited by unscrupulous officers to force their subordinates to vote for the incumbent.<br /><br />If the SPR is interested in dispelling the fear, a simple randomisation process can be implemented. Arguing the nitty-gritty points gives no assurance to the fearful.<br /><br />And the exploitation of that fear is the real issue we need to address. Can we do that? Or is that one more item to be swept under the carpet? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798687689558067599noreply@blogger.com