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The lowdown on the who, what, where, when, why, and how of Malaysia's 15th general election
It's election season and as a Malaysian, it's your fundamental and constitutional right to vote, and the ballot papers that you'll cast during Malaysia's 15th general election (GE15) on November 19 will carry greater weight than you think. This is your opportunity, space, and voice to design the country’s democracy through elections—only once in every five years—not only for your future but also your children's and your grandchildren's, and perhaps generations to come.
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Voting will pave the way for bringing the change that you want, through your favoured candidate and party or coalition. Statistics don't lie and strength in numbers is what determines the overall well-being of the country, from the economy to education, to even gender equality.
Ahead of polling day, here's your guide to voting in GE15.
How to prepare ahead
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The first and most important thing you should do is check your voting details and polling station online via MySPR Semak (https://mysprsemak.spr.gov.my/). The polling stations are typically schools or community centres which have been procured for that day. Once you have that information, keep it within arm's reach (would recommend saving a screenshot of it).
On voting day, don't forget to bring your National Registration Identity Card (NRIC) a.k.a your MyKad. You'll need this for the polling station officers to check and verify your identity against the voter list before allowing you to vote.
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While there's no fixed rule about dress code, it's encouraged for voters to be dressed decently. This means no shorts, skirts, tank or sleeveless tops, and no item of clothing that represent a political party. You may also want to skip that manicure appointment as your index finger will be marked with indelible ink (to ensure no double-voting) which would remain on your finger for up to five days.
If you're concerned about the crowds, be sure to mask up. Also, as we're right smack in the year-end monsoon season, do bring an umbrella along.
The parties that are contesting
Equally as important is your research on the parties and political coalitions contesting in GE15.
For the uninitiated, Malaysia has a multi-party system with 222 parliamentary seats. Your votes will help determine which party candidate will gain control of the seat in your constituency such as Damansara, Sungai Buloh, Puchong, Bagan, Muar, and so on and so forth. The candidate who receives the most votes will occupy the seat.
The party or coalition that wins a majority of 112 out of the 222 seats will form the government.
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The four main coalitions are Barisan Nasional (BN), Pakatan Harapan (PH), Perikatan Nasional (PN), and Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA). On top of these, there are two coalitions representing East Malaysia: Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah. Each coalition is made up of a handful of parties (see above) and voting for any of the parties equals voting for the coalition they are in.
Who should I vote for?
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Undoubtedly, deciding who to vote for will be challenging, especially if you're voting for the first time. Gather as much information as you can before casting your vote as this would play a significant role in not only your future but also the country.
Read up on who the candidates are, especially the prime minister candidates, to see what impact they have made in recent years. Most, if not all, are also reasonably active on social media so follow them for updates and details of their political talks (ceramahs) during this campaigning period. Attending these talks will give you a bigger picture as to why they're contesting and what they are 'fighting' for.
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It's also worth reading and combing through each coalition's manifesto to understand what they're proposing and hopes to implement, from addressing inflation and the rising cost of living to eradicating corruption, to environmental matters and restructuring the education system:
- Barisan Nasional (https://www.barisannasional.org.my/)
- Pakatan Harapan (https://kitaboleh.my/)
- Perikatan Nasional (https://www.pnbest.com/)
- Gerakan Tanah Air (https://www.facebook.com/gtarasmi/videos/524852052521533)
Think about which of the above manifesto will bring the change you want to see in Malaysia to make an informed decision. In a nutshell, vote for the right people who can do the job.
What will happen on polling day?
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In this election, voting time will be extended by an hour, from 8am to 6pm in the peninsular and 7:30am to 5:30pm in Sabah and Sarawak, to accommodate the much larger voter pool of voters. Malaysia's eligible voter base grew by nearly 50 per cent for GE15 compared to almost 15 million in GE14.
Ordinarily, voters will wake up early to queue. If you're concerned about congestion and potential crowding, go in between the peak hours. After getting your MyKad verified, you will be given a numbered slip which indicates your polling room—head towards the polling room and queue outside in an orderly manner. Keep your smartphone on silent as you await your turn.
Once you're allowed in by the police officer stationed at the entrance, produce your MyKad to the first polling clerk on duty and extend both hands to be examined. The first polling clerk will then pass on your MyKad to the second polling clerk for verification. The second polling clerk will call out the details on your MyKad—ensure your details are correct. You will then be asked to dip your index finger into a bottle of indelible ink. Next, collect your ballot paper from the third polling clerk, all while being careful not to stain the paper with your inked finger otherwise it'll be considered an undi rosak (spoiled/disqualified vote).
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Tip: Each ballot paper must be clean and contain a stamp and a unique serial number. If you notice something amiss with your ballot paper, alert the polling clerk immediately and ask for a new one.
You'll be required to leave your smartphone at the polling station head's table before moving to the voting box to mark your ballot paper. Mark an 'X' within the designated box next to the candidate of your choice, fold the paper neatly, and then proceed to the ballot box to drop your ballot paper in. You have now officially cast your vote.
Finally, collect your smartphone before leaving the polling room. It's not advisable to loiter around the polling station after casting your vote so if you need to wait for someone, do it at least 50m away from the polling station.
When will the results be announced?
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Voting closes at 6pm sharp in the peninsular and 5:30pm sharp in Sabah and Sarawak. Once voting is over, the votes will be counted in front of a handful of scrutineers comprising the election agents and representatives of the candidates (each candidate is allowed one representative per polling station). The election agents also monitor to ensure that the total ballots are the same number of votes cast.
After the counting is completed, the polling station head and the scrutineers will sign Form 14 to finalise the results. This form will then be collected by a returning officer (officer in charge of an election) to tally the results.
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Historically, the tallying of results is announced through live broadcasts by radio and television stations. In the past two elections, social media played a pivotal role in disseminating updates about the tallying of results and the occupying of seats. Barring any complications, the Election Commission typically declares a winner on the same night.
Happy voting!
Lainey was the Digital Director of Tatler Malaysia. When not whiling away the hours watching documentaries, the latest K-drama, or reruns of Friends, she can be found indulging her wanderlust by stalking travel platforms or feeding her obsession with music. She loves animals, running, all things social media, a good conversation over coffee or soju or wine (often rambling on if nobody pulls the brakes on her), and is an avid fan of bursting-at-the-seams laughter.
