Malaysia may be one of the leaders among nations that embraced the digital revolution but it is likely to say a resounding “no” to electronic voting or e-voting. Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof (pic) said it was better for the country to stick to the conventional method of voters having to physically cast paper ballots at polling stations nationwide. He said the system used in Malaysia had been time tested and there was no reason for the country to follow in the steps of nations that had introduced e-voting. “There is no concrete evidence as yet to suggest that e-voting is a fool-proof system and cannot be manipulated. “The current system is still the best. There is no need for us to go e-voting because it is not only unnecessary but highly risky in terms of security,” he told The Star.
… Abdul Aziz said e-voting was also unnecessary as most polls in Malaysia were straight contests. “In the Philippines, voters can take up to 30 minutes each to cast their votes, as they have to pick candidates for several positions from the governor to the local councils.
“Ours is a different system which has no pressing need for e-voting,” he said, adding that under the existing system, the secrecy of the ballot was also guaranteed as there was no way one could check who the other person voted for.
Abdul Aziz said the e-voting system could be faced with problems if there was a power disruption, for example. “Under the conventional system, we can still continue with the voting process if there is a power outage. “So why tinker with a straightforward system that is so simple and already working well?” he asked.
Full Article: EC chief gives e-voting the thumbs down – Nation | The Star Online.