1. Some parties question the unequal distribution of voters in electoral delineation. The question is whether the uneven distribution between parliamentary and state legislative seats, particularly between urban and rural areas, is acceptable in a democratic and fair election process. Does this practice contradict the principle of ‘one person, one vote’?

2. A similar question was raised to Sarawak’s Premier, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, in a recent press conference. He emphasized that the redelineation method for parliamentary constituencies follows the Westminster system, which does not divide constituencies based on the number of voters but takes into account the size of a particular electoral area.

3. This viewpoint aligns with the principle of electoral delineation that considers rural areas deserving of a larger number of seats with a smaller number of voters in each constituency. This principle is referred to as the ‘rural weightage’ principle.

4. The ‘rural weightage’ principle is provided for in Paragraph 2(c), Section 2, Schedule Thirteenth, of the Federal Constitution, which states: ‘(c) the number of voters in each constituency in a State shall be approximately equal except that, having regard to the greater difficulty of reaching the electors in the rural constituencies and other disadvantages facing rural constituencies, a measure of weightage for area ought to be given to such constituencies.

5. In reality, the ‘rural weightage’ principle is not a new concept. It was adopted in the constituency delineation process for the pre-independence general elections in 1955 by the Electoral Area Delineation Commission chaired by Lord Merthyr. This method was modelled after the practices of other countries that were practicing parliamentary elections and democracy at that time, such as Ceylon.

6. The fundamental purpose of the ‘rural weightage’ principle is to recognize the size of an area as one of the elements in the distribution of electoral constituencies, in addition to factors such as the number of voters or population. This approach helps prevent excessively large constituencies in sparsely populated areas

7. However, this concept indirectly serves to establish a balance of power in terms of political and economic influence. Economic power, typically held by highly populated urban groups or communities, can be balanced by providing rural populations with an advantage in political representation through the ‘rural weightage’ concept.

8. Indirectly, the ‘rural weightage’ concept has also benefited the political power of Malays, who predominantly reside in rural areas. The incorporation of this concept into each periodic constituency delineation process, which occurs at least once every eight years, reduces the risk of diminishing the political influence of Malay Muslims in Malaysia. The larger number of seats in rural areas compared to urban areas enhances the political empowerment of Malay Muslims.

Justice in a democratic electoral system is not solely dependent on the principle of ‘one person, one vote.’ There are many other elements that should be considered to assess justice within the electoral system. Furthermore, the principle of ‘one person, one vote’ does not necessarily mean equal numbers of voters in constituency delineation. The number of voters can be balanced with other factors that align with the objectives of a particular election.

The fact is there is no universally standardized system in the practice of democracy. In the context of elections in Malaysia, the ‘rural weightage’ principle should continue to be upheld. This is not solely based on constituency size but also pertains to its role in maintaining a balance of power in a diverse, multi-ethnic nation like Malaysia. Therefore, the uneven distribution of voters through the ‘rural weightage’ concept is not contradictory to democratic practices; rather, it complements the effectiveness of democracy in establishing stable governance that aligns with the will of the people.

The Constituency Delineation Review is expected to take place before the 16th General Election. The ‘rural weightage’ principle should remain a fundamental reference point in determining electoral boundaries. If this principle is set aside, purportedly in the name of the ‘one person, one vote’ principle, it essentially contradicts the constitution. Indirectly, disregarding the ‘rural weightage’ principle would weaken the political power of Malay Muslims in Malaysia.

Nevertheless, we hope that the Election Commission (SPR) will present a transparent, clear, and equitable method for implementing the ‘rural weightage’ principle. We do not want the flexibility allowed by the ‘rural weightage’ principle to be misused for delineation based on partisan political interests. Let the ‘rural weightage’ concept remain in force as a complement to democratic practices, ensuring that the electoral system can prosper a stable governance in line with the nation’s deeply-rooted identity, stemming from its rich heritage and long history.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Fathi Yusof
Lecturer, Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia