iThink therefore iVote
"...you have to make a choice between what's right and what's easy..."
Albus Dumbledore
The parliament was dissolved today which means soon enough, Malaysians will be called out to cast their votes. I really wished that the dissolution would be made much much later, say in the 4th quarter of this year, so that I'll have the time to register, and have my name gazetted in the electoral roll, and finally participate in my first ever elections. I really do hope that all my friends who are of the voting age, have all registered themselves as voters and that they'll perform their rights as a citizen when the time comes.
Today, I will not write on where I stand on the political ground, but rather on the election process itself. Having followed passionately the 2007 presidential and legislative elections in France, I believe that the Malaysian elections need to be touched up here and there to ensure fairness in the process.
1. Electoral campaign posters.
In Malaysia, there would be no elections without the war of posters. Every single inch of space especially in towns is infested with posters from all camps. The placement of the posters is not only a sore to the eye but sometimes they prove to be hazardous. They are also a waste of money as most of the posters and flags will all be disposed after the elections. The elections are not about whom put up the most posters or flag, but it's about the candidates and what they believe in. The point of putting up posters is to tell people who is running for the election. You don't need to have one in every corner.
In France, the town hall determines places where the candidates are allowed to put up their posters. And in these places, the town hall will erect removable billboards, one for each candidate. Not only this will limit the amount of rubbish at the end of the elections, it'll also make cleaning up after the election easier. It's fair for everyone, not wasting money, and eco-friendly.
2. Access to media.
Give the chance to all parties to explain what are their projects. Yes you may have good ideas about how you want to run the country, but what if someone else has a better idea? I mean, at the end of the day, we're talking about the country and its future. A true gentleman will fight his opponent with justice. If you have a gun, and your opponent does not, either throw away yours and fight with your fists, or get him one, and challenge him to a duel. A good decision can only be made if all the necessary informations are given. Without the access to media, most people will be misinformed and will not be able to make the right decision. Sure the Internet is available as a free medium, but not everyone has access to it.
Come election season, each party's airtime is regulated by the French Election Commission. The airtime is determined based on the party's previous elections results. The more votes they got in the previous elections, the more airtime they'll get. In addition to that, every night before the prime time news, each political party is given between 2 to 5 minutes to present their manifestos. Same goes with the print media, the number of articles on each party is regulated by the EC. This is what fair elections is about.
3. Debates
Have you seen a Malaysian politician in a debate with their opponents before? My point exactly
Debates are important to make sure that the manifestos are not mere rhetorical statements. It's wonderful to hear that you'll fight corruption, you'll clean up the judiciary, you'll increase the purchasing power of every household, but what we want to know is HOW are you going to do all that? If you have a debate, you are obliged to know every detail of your manifesto in order to answer your opponent's questions and challenges. And it's also your chance to ridicule your opponent if he has a weak manifesto. In 2007, the day before the presidential debate, Sarkozy and Royal were both tied at 50% in the public survey. But when Royal appeared somewhat clueless on some points of her manifesto, her popularity dropped to 48% the next day and finally lost the elections with 47% of the votes.
There are other points which I think Malaysia still needs improvements. For example, election results as early as 8pm, citizens overseas can cast their votes (currently only embassy workers and army personnels are allowed to do so), and ultimately, non race-based politics.
Whatever it is, if you're registered, go to vote.
'A single grain of rice can tip the scale, one man can be the difference between victory and defeat.'
The emperor from Mulan
Albus Dumbledore
The parliament was dissolved today which means soon enough, Malaysians will be called out to cast their votes. I really wished that the dissolution would be made much much later, say in the 4th quarter of this year, so that I'll have the time to register, and have my name gazetted in the electoral roll, and finally participate in my first ever elections. I really do hope that all my friends who are of the voting age, have all registered themselves as voters and that they'll perform their rights as a citizen when the time comes.
Today, I will not write on where I stand on the political ground, but rather on the election process itself. Having followed passionately the 2007 presidential and legislative elections in France, I believe that the Malaysian elections need to be touched up here and there to ensure fairness in the process.
1. Electoral campaign posters.
In Malaysia, there would be no elections without the war of posters. Every single inch of space especially in towns is infested with posters from all camps. The placement of the posters is not only a sore to the eye but sometimes they prove to be hazardous. They are also a waste of money as most of the posters and flags will all be disposed after the elections. The elections are not about whom put up the most posters or flag, but it's about the candidates and what they believe in. The point of putting up posters is to tell people who is running for the election. You don't need to have one in every corner.
In France, the town hall determines places where the candidates are allowed to put up their posters. And in these places, the town hall will erect removable billboards, one for each candidate. Not only this will limit the amount of rubbish at the end of the elections, it'll also make cleaning up after the election easier. It's fair for everyone, not wasting money, and eco-friendly.
2. Access to media.
Give the chance to all parties to explain what are their projects. Yes you may have good ideas about how you want to run the country, but what if someone else has a better idea? I mean, at the end of the day, we're talking about the country and its future. A true gentleman will fight his opponent with justice. If you have a gun, and your opponent does not, either throw away yours and fight with your fists, or get him one, and challenge him to a duel. A good decision can only be made if all the necessary informations are given. Without the access to media, most people will be misinformed and will not be able to make the right decision. Sure the Internet is available as a free medium, but not everyone has access to it.
Come election season, each party's airtime is regulated by the French Election Commission. The airtime is determined based on the party's previous elections results. The more votes they got in the previous elections, the more airtime they'll get. In addition to that, every night before the prime time news, each political party is given between 2 to 5 minutes to present their manifestos. Same goes with the print media, the number of articles on each party is regulated by the EC. This is what fair elections is about.
3. Debates
Have you seen a Malaysian politician in a debate with their opponents before? My point exactly
Debates are important to make sure that the manifestos are not mere rhetorical statements. It's wonderful to hear that you'll fight corruption, you'll clean up the judiciary, you'll increase the purchasing power of every household, but what we want to know is HOW are you going to do all that? If you have a debate, you are obliged to know every detail of your manifesto in order to answer your opponent's questions and challenges. And it's also your chance to ridicule your opponent if he has a weak manifesto. In 2007, the day before the presidential debate, Sarkozy and Royal were both tied at 50% in the public survey. But when Royal appeared somewhat clueless on some points of her manifesto, her popularity dropped to 48% the next day and finally lost the elections with 47% of the votes.
There are other points which I think Malaysia still needs improvements. For example, election results as early as 8pm, citizens overseas can cast their votes (currently only embassy workers and army personnels are allowed to do so), and ultimately, non race-based politics.
Whatever it is, if you're registered, go to vote.
'A single grain of rice can tip the scale, one man can be the difference between victory and defeat.'
The emperor from Mulan
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