SHAH ALAM – The Election Commission has been urged to clarify the latest developments regarding Undi18 so that the public gets clear and correct information on the lowered voting age.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said as an independent entity, the EC should explain the situation because the policy to lower the voting age to 18 is already at the implementation stage.
“The law has been passed and gazetted, and amendments to the constitution have been made to implement the registration as voters of those who turn 18,” he told Bernama and RTM at his home here.
“The EC must come forward to explain how it will work, the process and planning, and how it will be implemented. This is the stage of implementation, and it is a long process.
“There must be further amendments, coordination, changes to state constitutions – all these must be explained by the EC.”
He said the ministry cannot take the lead as it is the EC’s role to explain Undi18-related matters, including voter registration, voting rights, and standing as a candidate in a parliamentary seat at 18 years old.
Undi18 must become a reality as 211 MPs had set aside their different political ideologies to see to its approval in both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, he said.
Reezal Merican was commenting on news reports that the country is still not ready to allow 18-year-olds to vote, despite the Dewan Rakyat having passed the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019 to allow this. – Bernama, March 14, 2021
