Malaysian abroad casted their ballots.

TOKYO: Flanegan Bainon who casted his ballot at Malaysian Embassy to Japan here yesterday, was among 6,298 Malaysian abroads who had registered as postal voters for 13th General Election. 

Election Commission (EC) had set yesterday, from 9am to 8pm, for the submission and acceptance of Priority Envelopes containing the postal ballots in London, United Kingdom, and Melbourne, Australia. 

The same date applied to other Malaysian missions but the period would be shorter, from 9am to 6pm. 

He arrived at the polling centre after lunch hour and saw few voters had arrived earlier. It took him less than half-an-hour to queue for his turn. 

The 27-year-old lad, who hailed from Sabah and is working as a photographer here, had been following politics in Malaysia via social networks

"As a citizen, it is important to carry out my duty to choose qualified leaders who will really take care of the constituents,"he told New Straits Times, adding that he will return Malaysia in 2015. 

Bainon also commended that the EC had done a good job for Malaysian voters here starting from the registration to polling process. 

 "We have no difficulty in getting ourselves registered as postal voters, and were also well-informed on the polling date, time and location. 

 "I have faith in EC representatives that my vote will be in safe hand and arrive at returning officer's office on time,"he added. 

 It is the first time in the country’s election history, Malaysians have been allowed to vote from another country. Previously, only civil servants stationed overseas had the privilege of voting in absence but not the other employees and students. 

EC secretary Datuk Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria had earlier stated on Malaysian newspapers that envelopes containing the postal ballot papers in the EC's Special Sacks will be taken back to Malaysia on the same day to be handed to the returning officers of the respective election divisions. 

  

However, those who took the Priority Envelopes after the submission day or returned them after the stipulated date and time would have to personally handle the sending of the envelopes to the returning officers of the respective election divisions at their own expense. 

 -Ends-