How Malaysians Overseas Can Register for Postal Voting

With the announcement by our Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob that the Parliament has been dissolved, this means that Malaysians will be heading to the polls within 60 days! Now that the entire nation is buzzing about GE15, Malaysians overseas might also be thinking how they can join in on voting. Don’t fret because you don’t have to book an expensive plane ticket to vote!

With the introduction of the Undi18 bill, all Malaysians aged 18 and over can now register for postal voting, although it was previously limited to military personnel, government servants, and full-time students overseas in the past elections. This applies to those who have never been barred or disqualified by any laws in force. Just follow these steps:

Register Your MySPR account

1. Head over to the Election Commission’s official website at myspr.spr.gov.my/login.

2. Click on ‘permohonan akaun baru’ to register your new account. You will need:

• A valid mobile phone number and email address

• A picture of your MyKad (front view)

• A selfie with your MyKad (make sure you’re dressed appropriately)

3. Click on the Application Form and select the ‘Overseas Voter’ category.

4. Fill in all the required information and submit your application.

5. Wait 1 or 2 days for your account to be approved

Register for Postal Voting

1. Log onto your MySPR account.

2. Look up the ‘Undi Pos’ side menu and click on ‘Permohonan’.

3. Select ‘Pengundi Luar Negara’ in the form as your category.

4. Fill in your details including your passport number. Make sure the mailing address that your ballot paper will be sent to is accurate!

5. Finally, you will receive an email stating that your application is being processed if it’s successful.

What To Do Once You Receive Your Ballot Paper

1. Receive your postal ballot paper kit via mail.

2. This packet will include Borang 2, Envelope B, as well as Envelope A which has two smaller envelopes for Parliament and for the State. This excludes voters in the Federal Territories who will only be voting for parliamentary seats.

3. Check that your ballot paper is not misprinted or that it does not have any markings or errors. Immediately notify your embassy to get a replacement, if any.

4. Mark your ballot, fill in the form and insert it into the correct envelope according to the instructions –– otherwise, they won’t be counted. You will also need another Malaysian aged 18 or above to witness your signature for Borang 2, i.e. the officials present, or another voter.

5. Send the envelope to the Returning Officer (RoS) of your constituency, who are officials who have been designated by the EC to oversee the voting process. Make sure you don’t use regular mail to return it to them, but only use methods that have been approved by the EC.

6. You can also send it to the Malaysian Mission who will deliver it to your Returning Officer on your behalf. Check out the list here.

7. You may also mail it back at your own cost, but this is not recommended.

Remember to do this as soon as possible as it may take time to reach for your vote to be counted! You can also find out more info about Overseas Voting from Bersih. Make sure to do your part as a Malaysian even if you’re not physically here!