The document provides an overview of the election system in Malaysia. It begins with definitions of key terms like elections, electorate, and franchise. It then examines theories of franchise, factors that influence voter behavior, and methods for defining electoral areas. Finally, it outlines the election process in Malaysia, including the roles and functions of the Election Commission of Malaysia in administering elections from voter registration through the nomination of candidates.
The document provides an overview of the election system in Malaysia. It begins with definitions of key terms like elections, electorate, and franchise. It then examines theories of franchise, factors that influence voter behavior, and methods for defining electoral areas. Finally, it outlines the election process in Malaysia, including the roles and functions of the Election Commission of Malaysia in administering elections from voter registration through the nomination of candidates.
The document provides an overview of the election system in Malaysia. It begins with definitions of key terms like elections, electorate, and franchise. It then examines theories of franchise, factors that influence voter behavior, and methods for defining electoral areas. Finally, it outlines the election process in Malaysia, including the roles and functions of the Election Commission of Malaysia in administering elections from voter registration through the nomination of candidates.
The document provides an overview of the election system in Malaysia. It begins with definitions of key terms like elections, electorate, and franchise. It then examines theories of franchise, factors that influence voter behavior, and methods for defining electoral areas. Finally, it outlines the election process in Malaysia, including the roles and functions of the Election Commission of Malaysia in administering elections from voter registration through the nomination of candidates.
LESSON OUTCOMES At the end of the chapter, you should be able to: Define elections; Explain the theories of franchise; Explainthe factors that influence voter behavior; Explain the methods of defining electoral areas; Explainthe electoral process in Malaysia. CONTENTS 7.1 Definition of Election
7.2 Theories of Franchise
7.3 Factor that Influence Voter Behavior
7.4 Defining Electoral Areas
7.5 Election Process in Malaysia
7.1 Definition of Elections From the Latin eligere = to pick out, choose; An organized process in which people choose a person to a position of public importance; A decision-making process whereby people cast votes to choose a person or thing. Elements of Elections
An act of choosing someone or something;
Exercise of deliberate choice; Cast votes to determine the winner of a position; Can be held in many settings. Electorate (voters/constituency) A proportion of society who, after meeting certain conditions, have the right and power to choose the leadership of a state during elections; All those people of a country/area who are legally qualified to vote in an elections; People/citizens who have the legal right to vote & have the right to elect their representatives. Elements of the Electorate
They must be citizens of that country;
Fulfill certain requirements/criteria; Cast votes willingly. 7.2 Theories of Franchise Franchise: refers to the right to vote granted to citizens of a State. Franchise Theory: theories on who in society has the right to vote. One of the more difficult problems in democratic societies. Two theories/schools of thought: Universal franchise/suffrage; Limited franchise/suffrage Universal Franchise
Based on the doctrines of natural rights, equality of
men & popular sovereignty; Sovereignty resides in the people; The right of “every” citizen to vote & participate in govt policy-making; Ensure political equality & representation by giving all citizens the right to vote. Limited Franchise Against the idea of universal franchise; Not all citizens should have the right to vote; Franchise was not an inherent right but a right conferred by the State thus should not be granted to all citizens; A right which requires mature, sensible exercise of judgment. Modern view Similar view as Limited Franchise; Advocates of Universal Franchise claim that it meant Universal Adult Suffrage (male & female); Depends of the State’s electoral laws; Based on various requirements such as: Age, Citizenship, Resident, Registration. Groups who DO NOT have the right to vote: Minors; Lunatics; Aliens; Criminals in confinement; Others…? 7.3 Factors the Influence Voter Behavior Determine why voters vote the way they do; Can be analyzed from several perspectives: Voter behavior: (why do they vote that way?); Voter preference: (how do they make their choice?). Voter Behavior Sociological factors: Ethical values, civic duties, social pressure, parental influence…etc; Demographic factors: Gender, age, residence…etc; Religion & ethnic background; Social class, income, education, occupation. Role of the mass media: Entertaining; Reporting the news; Identifying public problems; Socializing new generation; Provides a political forum. Voter Preference
Usually deals with the psychological process
involved when making a decision on who to vote; Psychological factors: Perception towards candidates, parties, issues, manifesto…etc. Other Factors Long-term influences: Party identification, parental influence, gender, ethnicity/religion, class. Medium-term influence: Govt performance, opposition performance, economic conditions, political events. Short-term influence: Timing of election, campaign strategy, candidates, local issues. 7.4 – Defining Electoral Areas A set of rules for conducting an election; All the customs, laws, procedures & institutions used to elect representative in a political system; Involves admin of elections, delineation of electoral constituencies, casting votes, candidates & PP etc. Emphasis on converting votes to seats. 2 types: Single-Member District Plurality (SMDP); Proportional Representation. Single-Member District Plurality Divide the total area into as many electoral districts (constituencies) as possible; All constituencies are equal/almost equal in size; A single member is elected from each district by a plurality of votes; There are 3 variations: First-Past-the-Post (FPTP); Alternative Vote; Run-off/Second Ballot. First Past the Post Candidate who gets the plurality of votes wins; Does not necessarily mean the candidate commands the majority of votes; Simple majority (example: 51% vs. 49%); Example: Alternative vote Looks more into voter preference; Voters rank candidates in order of preference by placing numbers; Candidate who obtains majority of first-choice votes on first count is declared the winner; If no one gains majority, candidate with lowest vote is dropped & votes are redistributed according to second-choice vote; Process is repeated until a candidate has a majority; Example: Run-off Election
Also known as ‘second ballot’.
If candidates could not obtain majority in the 1st ballot, they compete in run-off elections until a candidate wins the majority of votes; Only the top two candidates will continue to the run-off election; Example: Proportional Representation PP win seats in proportion to its share of popular vote; Example: if DPA Party gets 5% of popular votes it will obtain 5% of seats in the legislative assembly. 2 variations: Single Transferable Vote (STV); List System. Single Transferable Vote Voters indicate their preference for the candidates; Candidates are required to secure a certain quota: Total number of votes +1 Number of seats + 1
Only 1st preference is counted when tallying
votes; Candidate who secures the required quota is elected; If candidates have surplus votes – transfer them to other candidates for tallying based on 2nd preference; Also transfer votes from candidates who secure very few votes; Continue until all seats have been filled. Example: List System Most common form of PR; Total number of votes won by a PP determines how many candidates are elected from their list; 2 variations: Closed Party System; Open Party List. Closed Party System Voters have no choice over the candidates; Just vote for the party they prefer; PP win seats according to its percentage of the total popular vote. Example: if DPA Party wins 30% of votes in a 100 seat parliament, it would get 30 seats occupied by the top 30 candidates on the list
Example: Open Party List
Voters have complete freedom to choose the
candidates; Votes are counted for both the candidate & the party; Example: 7.5 – Election Process in Malaysia Election Commission (SPR) Established on 4th September 1957 under Article 113 & 114 of the federal constitution; Consists of a Chairman, Deputy Chairman & 5 panel members; Article 114(1): members are appointed by the YDPA after consulting with the C.o.R; YDPA acts on the advice of the PM & the Cabinet. Functions of SPR
Conduct the administration of elections.
Manage the processes the occur before, during & after election. Prepare & revise the electoral roll. Registration of voter, updating the electoral roll. Review & delimit the federal & state constituencies. Make rules for elections. Election System in M’sia Who can vote? Article 119(1) of the Federal Constitution: • 21 years of age on the qualifying date; • Resident in a constituency on such a qualifying date; • Registered in the electoral roll as an elector/voter in the constituency. Losing the right to vote: Article 119(3) of the Federal Constitution: • The person is of unsound mind; • Convicted of an offence & sentenced to death/imprisonment for a term exceeding twelve (12) months & that the person is still serving his/her term on the qualifying date. Malaysia implements the FPTP electoral system; Elections are held at the national/Parliamentary level & state level: National level (Dewan Rakyat) = General Elections; State level (State Assembly) = State elections; By-elections (Parliamentary & state level). By-elections are held when a seat is vacated for certain reasons: The representative resigns; The representative dies; The results of the election is nullified by a court; Other valid reasons according to the Federal, State or party constitution. Processes before elections Voter Registration: Enables qualified Malaysians to register as voters; Also enables registered voters to change personal info; Registration is carried out throughout the year at various locations. Delineation/demarcation: Review and set the boundaries for Parliamentary & State constituencies; SPR assisted by Survey Dept, Statistics Dept & Attorney General’s Chamber; Reviews the constituencies at intervals of not less than 8 years; Review must be completed within two years from the date the review begins. Principles of delineation: Ensure that they do not cross state boundaries; Administrative facilities available within a constituency; Number of voters in each constituency ought to be equal; Maintenance of local ties. Processes during elections Nomination of Candidates: Qualifications to become a candidate: Malaysian citizen; Not less than 21 yrs of age on nomination day; Must be a resident of the state if contesting a state seat. Disqualification of candidates: Found to be of unsound mind; Bankrupt; Holding an “office of profit”; Convicted of an offense & sentenced to not less than 1 year in prison or fined not less than RM2,000; Acquired a foreign citizenship. Nomination Day: Candidates submit their nomination papers; Make a deposit of RM10,000 (Parliament) or RM5,000 (State); Any errors in the nomination paper will result in disqualification. Campaigning: Begins after the nomination process; Must end at midnight on Election Day; Use methods as permitted by the SPR; Use electronic media: pay deposit of RM5,000 for Parliament of RM3,000 for State; Deposit will be returned if the candidates remove all banners, poster etc within 14 days after the election. Election Day: Begins from 8:00am – 5:30pm in Peninsular Malaysia & 7:30am – 5:00pm in Sabah & Sarawak; Voting is carried out in polling stations supervised by a Presiding Officer. Only electors whose name appears in the electoral role can enter the polling station. Only the following are allowed to enter the polling station: Members of the EC; Presiding Officer and election staff; Candidates and their election agent; Anyone who has obtained approval by the EC. Postal Vote: Postal ballots are mailed as early as possible to those who can vote using this method; Postal voters: personnel from Armed Forces, Police Field Force, election officials on duty, govt officers overseas & students studying overseas. Processes after elections Counting of Votes: Carried out by the Presiding Officer at each polling station or a central counting station; Those who may enter the counting station: • Members & officers of the EC; • Officers appointed by the EC; • Counting clerks; • Candidates, their counting agent & election agent. After all votes have been counted, the results will be forwarded to the Returning Officer at the tally center; Returning Officer will then add the votes & announce the winner for the constituency. Election Petition: Results of elections can be challenged in court; A petition can be lodged on the following grounds: Bribery, intimidation or any misconduct that may have affected the result of the election; Non-compliance with Election Laws and Regulations; Corrupt or illegal practice committed by the candidate or any of his agents; The candidate or his agent is found to be disqualified for the election.