Note: The following article has been updated to help Malaysians change their voting details in time for GE15.
With talks of GE15 being around the corner getting more and more intense, there’s no better time to register as a voter than right now.
But what if you’re one of the thousands of Malaysians who wants to exercise the right to vote but don’t know how?
I used to be one such individual when I became eligible to vote back in 2015 and didn’t have a single clue over how to become a registered voter. Fortunately, I found out that the steps needed to do so were rather simple and quick.
Here’s a summary of what I had to do back then.
Basic requirements
Before taking the first step in the registration process, these are the main requirements you need to fulfil:
- A Malaysian citizen
- At least 21 years old
- Currently living in the area you’re registering to vote for
- Never barred/disqualified by any laws in force
Once you’ve checked every item in the list, you can move on to the next phase.
Registering as a voter
For the registration process to be carried as smoothly as possible, make sure that you have IC with you before heading over to SPR-approved counters.
Here’s a list of SPR-approved counters:
- Post offices
- SPR headquarters
- State election offices
- Malaysian embassies, Malaysian High Commission and General consulates (for Malaysians living overseas)
- Penolong Pendaftar Pemilih (voter registration helpers)
Hand your IC over to a staff at the counter, who will then fill up a registration form — also known as Borang A — on your behalf. Triple-check the details on the form before signing it. You’re also encouraged to keep a copy of the registration form as proof.
Once you’ve registered yourself, you can check your voting details via the MySPFSemak website by keying in your IC (without spaces or dashes) and captcha.
How about voters below 21?
The above procedure was what I personally went through when I became eligible to vote when I turned 21, which was the minimum voting age.
But thanks to the UNDI 18 initiative and the newly implemented automatic voter registration system, Malaysians aged 18 are automatically registered voters and can now cast their ballots without having to go to SPR-approved counters to register!
However, there still lies the possibility of seeing your old address and details appear on SPR’s main website. So, how do you change it?
Here’s how:
1. Visit the main MySPR website here, click on ‘Permohonan Baru’ and fill in the following details:
– Your full name and address based on your MyKad
– A valid mobile phone number
– A valid email address
– A front image of your MyKad
– A selfie with your MyKad
It will take 1-2 days for your MySPR account to be approved.
2. Once your MySPR account has been approved, log into your MySPR account and click on ‘Borang A (Pertukaran Bahagian Pilihan Raya / Pertukaran Status)’ on the dashboard.
Under Borang A, you can update your address, phone number and email address. However, do note that this will take six to eight weeks to be processed and validated.
After keying in your details, click ‘Send’ and you’re done! All you need to do is to wait for an email notification telling you that your update application’s in progress.
Alternatively, you can opt to visit the EC headquarters, your state election office, or closest post office to make the changes.
While voting isn’t required by law, it’s nonetheless the best way to have your voice heard as every ballot paper has the power to build and bring down existing governments, as witnessed during the historic 2013 and 2018 elections.
So register as a voter today and take part in changing Malaysia’s democracy for the better!
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