Sibu: 1 address - 94 voters

By Tony Thien

Malaysiakini

2006-05-03 | All is not right in Sibu, Sarawak. An independent election watchdog discovers that it has the highest percentage of voters without addresses (45.2%).

Apart from this, Sibu also has the highest number of voters in a single address - 94.

Malaysians for free and fair elections (Mafrel) chairperson Abdul Malek Hussin told a media conference yesterday that of the three state constituencies - within the Sibu parliamentary constituency - Bawang Assan has 71.41% of voters without addresses, followed by Nangka (52.8%) and Pelawan (21.22%).

Bawang Assan has between 51 and 100 voters each registered in three addresses, he said.

"I will personally investigate the address listed with 94 electors," added Abdul Malik while refusing to divulge further details for the time being.

According to him, Mafrel will only be able to carry out what he described as focus verification of electoral rolls due to the limited time factor.

The election watchdog has looked at the electoral rolls covering 11 state constituencies within five parliamentary constituencies - Sibu, Santubong, Petra Jaya, Bandar Kuching and Miri.

Three main tasks

Mafrel is in Sarawak to carry out a comprehensive observation of the 9th Sarawak election scheduled for May 20.

"Mafrel will have three main tasks - verify the electoral rolls before nomination day (May 9), observe election campaigning and observe polling," said Abdul Malek.

This will cover between 25 and 30 state constituencies, including some in remote areas considered critical.

It will recruit at least 60 volunteers to support the observation and monitoring networking to cover three main zones - North Zone based in Miri, Central Zone (Sibu) and South Zone (Kuching).

Mafrel will also assist with voter education and offer training, if and when required, to polling agents and counting agents of political parties and candidates.