‘Spoilt vote is different from rejected vote’

KUALA LUMPUR: Votes do not get spoilt during the ballot counting process, said Election Academy deputy director Norlinah Jamman.

Instead, she said, the term “spoilt vote” referred to ballot papers that were not dropped into ballot boxes between 8am and 5pm on polling day.

“For example, if a voter is given a ballot paper, but accidentally rips it, he can ask for a replacement.

“The ripped ballot paper, which will not be dropped into the ballot box, is considered a spoilt vote,” she said during the Assalamualaikum p r ogramme on TV Al-Hijrah here yesterday.

She said the right term for a ballot paper that was not accepted due to certain factors was “rejected vote”.

“A rejected vote refers to a ballot paper that wasn’t marked properly.

“This ballot paper will be put in the ‘doubtful vote’ tray during the counting process.

“The presiding officer will decide whether to accept or reject the doubtful vote.”

She said officers must fold the ballot paper before handing it to voters, and voters must fold it back after marking it before they drop it into the ballot box.

“This is to ensure the secrecy of the vote.”

She said drawing an “X” was the ideal way to mark a ballot paper.

“The mark does not mean you reject a candidate.

“It is the right way and makes it easier during the ballot counting process.”

She said the presiding officer could decide whether a voter was allowed to cast his ballot in certain situations, such as if a voter’s name was not on the electoral roll, if the picture in a voter’s identification card did not match the voter, or if the voter’s finger had ink stains.