Voters percentage rate to be reviewed for fair grassroot leader election

Abdul Azim Kassim
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

THE Ministry of Home Affairs is currently devising a plan to set a new percentage rate of voters during the election day of a grassroot leader.

Minister of Home Affairs, Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Hj Awg Badaruddin Pengarah Dato Paduka Hj Awg Othman was responding to suggestions made by Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Hj Tahamid Hj Nudin during the 11th LegCo session yesterday.

YB Hj Tahamid, who is also the Penghulu of Mukim Gadong ‘A’, shared that searching for a grassroot leader candidate alone can take up to almost 10 years. Once a candidate is found, the process can take up to two years.

“In villages, residents already have candidates they feel qualified to be leaders but often the candidates eventually turn it down with several reasons,” he said.

The Penghulu suggested two alternatives: a “secretive voting” (undi rahsia) process or an appointment made based on the titah of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

In response, the Home Affairs minister acknowledged that YB Hj Tahamid’s suggestions will be taken into consideration.

However, the Minister said the ministry is now weighing the validity of those elected by setting a percentage number of qualified voters during the election.

“Looking at recent trends, the number of residents who have attended during the grassroot leader voting day, at times does not even reach 25 per cent of the village residents who in the sense are qualified voters. This percentage alone is enough for the candidate to win,” he said.

“This matter is being revised and the ministry is setting a requirements that there must be at least 33 per cent rate of village residents voting on the election – to ensure the candidates are truly chosen by the majority of the village.”

Meanwhile, he added, there is also a mechanism to register village residents as qualified voters during the election.

“So when there is an election, the voters will be called, invited and given cards to cast votes.”

The minister also shared that there is also a Penghulu and Village Leader Scheme of Service that is in the process of being assessed by the relevant authorities.

“This scheme will determine if the leaders can really carry out their leadership at the grassroot level suited with the development and knowledge of the village residents.”


Sumber - The Brunei Times