How To Apply For Postal Voting In Malaysia From Overseas
The application window for postal voting is typically two to four weeks.
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If you're a Malaysian living overseas, you can apply for postal voting if there's an upcoming election
What is postal voting in Malaysia?
Postal voting allows eligible voters to receive and return their ballot by post or delivery instead of voting at their normal polling centre.
Postal voting is not automatic, and it's not open permanently. It only opens when the Election Commission (EC), or Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya Malaysia, announces postal voting applications for a specific state or general election. The application window for postal voting can be short, sometimes around two to four weeks, depending on the election.
Who can apply for postal voting from overseas?
Malaysian citizens living overseas can apply for postal voting if they are registered voters and meet the eligibility requirements.
For most overseas Malaysians, this means applying under Category 1B. This includes Malaysians who are working, studying, or living abroad, in countries such as Singapore, Australia, the UK, the US, and elsewhere.
For the upcoming GE16, overseas Malaysians should wait for the EC to open postal voting applications, then apply before the deadline if they qualify.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to apply for postal voting in Malaysia if you're overseas:
STEP 1: Log in to MySPR
After logging in with your IC number and password, click on 'Permohonan' > 'Permohonan Undi Pos' > 'Borang Permohonan'. This will lead you to the application form for postal voting.
If it's your first time opening a MySPR account, here's a simple guide.
STEP 2: Choose the correct postal voting category and fill up your details
Under 'Category', select 'Pengundi Luar Negara'. Next, enter your reason for applying for postal voting, along with relevant information like your contact number and mailing address.
Important: Enter your address in Roman letters only. Enter a phone number reachable by the courier in your country of residence.
STEP 3: Confirm your details and check the acknowledgement
Make sure your overseas address is complete and accurate, as this is where your postal ballot will be sent if your application is approved.
Check the checkbox and click 'Daftar' to submit your application.
STEP 4: Go through the verification process to complete your application
Click 'Saya Pasti' to confirm all your information submitted is complete and accurate. Request a TAC number, and click 'Hantar' to finalise the application.
As a summary, here's the list of info you'll typically need to provide as an overseas voter:
- Identity details
- Postal voting category
- Reason for applying
- Overseas mailing address
- Overseas contact number
- Other details required in MySPR
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What happens after you apply?
You can check your postal voting application status through MySPR. Your application may show as pending, approved, rejected, or another status depending on what the system displays for that election.
If your application is approved, the postal ballot will be sent to the overseas address you provided. You must then mark and return the ballot according to the instructions given.
How to return a postal ballot from overseas
Return your postal ballot as early as possible using a reliable delivery method. After marking the ballot, follow the instructions in the postal voting pack. For overseas voters, the main practical issue is time. Your ballot has to travel back to Malaysia and reach the correct election officer before the deadline.
If you are overseas, consider:
- How long international delivery usually takes from your country
- Whether there are weekends or public holidays
- Whether tracking is available
- Whether the delivery service can meet the deadline
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What happens if your postal ballot does not arrive or arrives late?
If your postal ballot does not arrive or arrives too late to return by the deadline, it may not be counted. If the ballot does not arrive, check your postal voting application status through MySPR and contact the EC as early as possible.
If the ballot arrives too late for you to send it back before the deadline, there may be very little that can be done. The ballot must reach the Returning Officer in time. It is not enough to post it before polling day if it arrives late.
Postal voting in Malaysia is not limited to those who are overseas. Here's a closer look at who qualifies:
| Category | Who it generally covers | What it means in simple terms |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1A | EC officers, election workers, police personnel, military personnel, and media workers who qualify under election rules | For people who may be on official duty or unable to vote normally because of election-related, security, or approved work reasons |
| Category 1B | Malaysian citizens living overseas | For registered Malaysian voters outside Malaysia who apply to vote by post |
| Category 1C | Approved agencies or organisations | For specific agencies or organisations approved by the EC for postal voting arrangements |
Can Sabah and Sarawak voters in Peninsular Malaysia vote by post?
Not automatically. Sabah and Sarawak voters living in Peninsular Malaysia do not qualify for postal voting just because they live away from their registered polling area.
This is one of the most common misunderstandings. If you are registered to vote in Sabah or Sarawak but currently live, work, or study in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Penang, or another Peninsular Malaysian state, you do not automatically qualify for postal voting.
This is because Peninsular Malaysia is still within Malaysia. It is not considered overseas for postal voting under Category 1B. You cannot simply walk into a polling centre near where you currently live if your voter record is assigned somewhere else.
Sabah and Sarawak voters may still qualify for postal voting if they fall under an approved postal voting category.:
- Malaysians living overseas
- Certain Election Commission officers
- Election workers
- Police personnel
- Military personnel
- Media workers on election duty
- Approved agencies or organisations
I'm from Sabah or Sarawak, but I'm now living in Peninsular Malaysia. What can I do?
If you have moved permanently, you should first make sure your address with the National Registration Department (JPN) is updated. After that, you may apply through MySPR or an authorised Election Commission counter to change your electoral division.
This process is not immediate, so it may not apply in time if you do it close to an election.
Do students or workers in Peninsular Malaysia qualify?
Students and workers in Peninsular Malaysia do not automatically qualify for postal voting just because they are away from Sabah or Sarawak.
This is a common misunderstanding.
A Sabahan studying in Selangor or a Sarawakian working in Kuala Lumpur is still inside Malaysia. Unless they fall under another approved postal voting category, they generally need to vote at the polling centre assigned to their voter record.
Frequently asked questions
Can Malaysians overseas apply for postal voting in a state election?
Yes, if postal voting applications are opened for that specific state election and your voter record is tied to a seat in that state. For example, if postal voting is opened for a Johor state election, it is meant for eligible Johor voters, not every Malaysian overseas.
Can Malaysians in Singapore apply for postal voting?
Yes. Malaysians living in Singapore may apply under Category 1B if they are registered voters and applications are open for that election. Singapore counts as overseas because the voter is outside Malaysia.
Can Malaysian students overseas apply for postal voting?
Yes. Malaysian students living overseas can apply under Category 1B if they are registered voters. They still need to apply through MySPR. Postal voting is not automatic for overseas students.
Can I apply for postal voting if I am only travelling overseas temporarily?
It depends on the Election Commission's requirements for that election. Category 1B is generally meant for Malaysian citizens living overseas, so voters who are only travelling temporarily should check the latest EC conditions before applying.
Can I apply if I live in another Malaysian state?
No, not under the overseas postal voting category. Living in another Malaysian state is not the same as living overseas. For example, a Sabah voter living in Kuala Lumpur does not qualify under Category 1B just because they are far from their polling centre.
What happens if I choose the wrong postal voting category?
Your application may be rejected or delayed. For most overseas Malaysians, the relevant category is Category 1B. Always check the category before submitting your application.
Can I change my overseas mailing address after applying?
It depends on whether your application has already been processed or approved. If you entered the wrong address, check MySPR and contact the Election Commission as early as possible. Do not wait until ballots are issued.
When should you apply for postal voting?
Apply as soon as the EC opens postal voting applications for that election. Do not wait until polling day is near. The later you apply, the less time you may have to receive and return your ballot.
Is postal voting the same as advance voting?
No. Postal voting and advance voting are different. Postal voting means the ballot is sent to the voter and returned by post or delivery. Advance voting means eligible voters cast their ballots earlier at designated advance voting centres before polling day.
Last updated: 14 October 2026
