As the 15th general election heats up, there has been misinformation being spread about the voting process through social media.
A message being circulated on WhatsApp claimed that one can only vote during the ‘recommended voting time’ as stated on the Election Commission’s (EC) website when one checks for their voting information.
However, the EC has already clarified before, back in March during the Johor state election, that it is not true that one can only vote during the ‘recommended voting time’.
“Voters are recommended to go out to vote in line with the recommended voting time as stated on the MySPR Semak application.
“If the voter cannot go out during the recommended voting time for certain reasons, voters can still vote in their free time between 8am to 6pm or the gazetted period,” the statement read.
The recommended voting time was introduced for the past few state elections to control the crowd at the polling centres due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Another misinformation being spread online is that those with painted nails would not be allowed to vote on polling day.
This confusion may have stemmed from advice from the EC in previous general elections to hold off on painting one’s nails before voting.
At the time, the justification was that the indelible ink used during the voting process would permanently stain the manicure.
However, there is no regulation that prevents one from voting due to painted nails.
Malaysians head to the polls on Nov 19. – Malaysiakini