LETTERS: Are our Malaysian senior citizens ready to exercise their democratic right on Nov 19? For many seniors, voting does bring special challenges especially for the physically-challenged, those who have mobility issues and lack transport to get to the polling stations.
To ensure that senior-related issues are heard loud and clear and addressed by the government, older persons need to be more active during this election period to make their voices heard. This is what SeniorsAloud — a voice for seniors is doing.
We are urging all seniors to come out in droves to vote on polling day. And, to assist other seniors who need help to vote.
For able-bodied seniors, nothing is more important or sacrosanct on Nov 19 than exercising your voting right. Plan to turn up at your polling station rain, shine or whatever. Your vote counts.
To help ease the burden of seniors to vote, here are some ways we can help fellow seniors cast their ballot on polling day:
1. Seniors have to know where their voting centre is. It would be good for relatives, neighbours and friends to check this out and even take them to the polling centre before polling day to familiarise themselves with the environment
2. Ensure seniors have enough information to decide who to vote for and the party symbol. All the efforts to ensure that seniors turn up at the polling station will come to nought if the senior is unable to vote properly resulting in spoilt votes. This should be addressed to minimise the number of spoilt votes.
3. The long queues could also discourage some. Long lines can make the experience uncomfortable, discouraging some seniors. One way out is that they should go and vote when the polling station is not so crowded — perhaps in the afternoon or during the off-peak period.
It would be good to bring essentials such as mineral water, a folding chair, snacks, etc in case there is a long queue. For seniors, all these preparations will help make voting an experience to look forward to similar to an outing.
4. If your relative or friend is hospitalised or staying in a nursing home, prior arrangements should be made for the senior to be 'discharged' for a few hours to vote? The question is will the hospital authorities or nursing home operators allow it?
This issue of the much-needed participation of seniors (especially the physically challenged ones) has never been given the attention it deserves. Voting must be made more accessible to seniors.
5. Those seniors staying all alone and with disabilities will not take the trouble to turn up to vote unless prior arrangements are made by loved ones or neighbours to help out. On their own, it is highly unlikely that they will want to bear the inconveniences and discomfort.
Some seniors have impairments that limit their ability to cast a vote independently and this must be looked into. This is where volunteers can come forward and assist seniors to vote on election day.
Only if seniors and the elderly exercise their voting right will they be proud to say that they have participated in choosing the new government. Remember our vote is our voice!
Dr Pola Singh
Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
