Fairuz Hidayat Merican, 2014

Atthe 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;
Explain the electoral process in Malaysia.
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
ELECTION
From the Latin eligere = to pick out, choose,
elect;
An organized process in which people choose a
person to a position of public importance;
A decision making process where people
choose people to hold official offices.
 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 States 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 THAT
INFLUENCE VOTER
BEHAVIOUR
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 influenceetc;
Demographic factors:
Gender, age, residenceetc;
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, manifestoetc.
 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.
 SMDP
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.
 FPTP
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 Msia
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 Generals 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.