#VoteLokal: Bersih pushes for 70pct state polls turnout rate
STATE POLLS | Electoral watchdog Bersih has launched a #VoteLokal campaign to raise voter turnouts for the upcoming elections in six states.
The campaign’s main goal is to push for a turnout rate of 70 percent or more by educating voters about the importance of the state elections...
STATE POLLS | Electoral watchdog Bersih has launched a #VoteLokal campaign to raise voter turnouts for the upcoming elections in six states.
The campaign’s main goal is to push for a turnout rate of 70 percent or more by educating voters about the importance of the state elections.
Bersih chairperson Thomas Fann (above) explained that based on previous state polls, voter turnouts were comparatively lower if they were not held in conjunction with general elections.
He then warned that if people chose to ignore their due diligence of voting, they may end up with underperforming state governments.
“The state governments are the ones who appoint our local authorities and councils who then issue licences and permits to the public.
“… If you want better management of local services, development and businesses, then vote for a better state government,” Fann said during the launch of the campaign at Bersih’s headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.
According to Bersih, the turnout rate for the 15th general election was 74 percent, which led the group to believe that there is a likelihood for the state polls’ rate to be around 59 to 64 percent.
Previously, Bersih reminded voters that the state elections are not a referendum on the federal government.
Fann then stressed that both sides of the divide were also playing too much into the issues of the 3Rs (race, religion and royalty) and the national economy.
He emphasised that the narratives have distracted the voters from the fact that the elections are mainly about the governance of the states.
Public can play a part
Meanwhile, Bersih executive director Ooi Kok Hin explained the campaign’s awareness-spreading methods, adding that the public can also play a part in the project.
He said that text posts, pictures and videos regarding the real functions of the elections will be posted online accompanied by the hashtags #VoteLokal and #UndiLokal.
Ooi encouraged people to also tag the social media accounts of their respective districts’ candidates when posting about the campaign.
Aside from that, he urged the public to motivate their friends and families to vote.
When questioned about the campaign's approach to reaching individuals without internet access or cable television, Ooi acknowledged that the team currently faces challenges in engaging with people directly on the ground.
“I generally think internet access in Malaysia is quite broad but we admit that we cannot be on the ground due to time limit. The campaign period is too short.
“However, it would be great if we are able to collaborate with national channels or even have the Communications and Digital Ministry be involved in our project.
“Then we would be able to reach those who live in rural areas with no access to Astro or the internet,” Ooi added.
