THE Election Commission (EC) has not made any decision on introducing electronic voting (e-voting) in Malaysia, Mohamed Hanipa Maidin told the Dewan Rakyat today.

The deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said the matter requires detailed study that involves cost, while the level of understanding on e-voting among stakeholders varies.

“The advantages and suitability of the e-voting system is still being studied.

“If found to be suitable, a proposal will be presented to the government,” he said during question time this morning. 

Hanipa, who is the deputy minister in charge of law, was taking a question from Mahdzir Khalid (Padang Terap-BN), who had asked if the government was ready to apply e-voting and if it was safe from potential manipulation.

Mahdzir, who is the former education minister, said he raised the matter because the EC had made a statement earlier this year about the e-voting system.

“If the government is not ready for it, the EC should not rush to make such a statement. Your (Hanipa) answer also shows that we are not ready.

“We all know that when a party used e-voting, there were disorder and confusion. We even saw videos of fights between Group A and Group B on YouTube,” the Umno MP said without naming anyone. 

But it was understood that Mahdzir was taking a dig at PKR, a member of the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition. 

PKR was the first party in Malaysia to use the e-voting system in its party polls last year. But the process saw glitches and problems that had upset party members.

The controversy led to fights at some locations. PKR also had to reschedule the voting in some states.

Hanipa told Mahdzir that the new government will not stop anyone from stating their opinions, and it also does not mean the administration carries out every view.

“To me, e-voting is a process. We may like or dislike it, but one day we may need it, just like how we have to use e-banking and e-filing now.

“EC chairman (Azhar Azizan Harun) might have mentioned e-voting during an interview but that is his personal view. In the end, it is still the government that decides,” he said.

Hasan Baharom (Tampin-PH) then asked how e-voting, if implemented, could cut costs, boost transparency and EC’s integrity.

Hanipa took the chance to hit back at the opposition, saying that the EC was doing better now compared to when it was under Barisan Nasional (BN).

“We can see how different is the EC’s integrity now compared to the time BN was in government. People can see, unless we shut our eyes.

“We are aware of the need to reduce cost. One of the reasons e-voting is considered is the high printing cost.

“The EC is always ready to listen to views. If you think there are weaknesses in the election, share your views. We are not a government that is afraid to listen to views.” – April 9, 2019