MUAR – The Perikatan Nasional government does not fear the implementation of the new age policy for voters (Undi18) or automatic voter registration, and in fact wants the Election Commission (EC) to expedite the process.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he had received an explanation from EC chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh recently on the postponement of Undi18 and automatic voter registration.
Lambasting claims by certain quarters that PN had something to do with the postponement, Muhyiddin said the decision was made by the commission itself after taking into account various aspects of implementation.
“This is not about (the) PN government. It is about (EC), which we support. Whatever effort taken by (EC) to help with its duties, we will assist, but (looking at the) capabilities during a pandemic and all that, it (Undi18 and automatic voter registration) can’t seem to be done.
“And so, I accepted EC’s explanation. We can’t debate that issue, so if possible, (we should) expedite the process,” the Pagoh MP said at a media conference after officiating the launch of the Pagoh Special Economic Zone (Phase 1) here today.
Muhyiddin explained that he also asked EC whether the implementation can be expedited from the date it suggested, which is September 1, 2022.
“…September (2022), that is the earliest, so I asked if they can do it by September this year and he (Abdul Ghani) said it was not possible. So with that, how can we force EC?
“So, while we are all emotional about it... it is not about the PN government being fearful of the younger generation (and) that after registering they will not support PN. I believe a majority of them support the government… so the quicker they do this, the better.
“But what can be done? That is the question… so to be realistic about it, we don’t have to be so political (about this). Let’s see how EC can do its job,” Muhyiddin, who is also Gambir assemblyman, said.
Muhyiddin said EC explained that it will not be able to implement Undi18 in the nearest future as many factors have to be taken into account, besides involving various agencies, including the National Registration Department (JPN).
“For example, the EC chairman said if automatic registration is to be implemented, there are identity cards to be cross-checked, (voters’) addresses… this is a painstaking task, involving millions of new voters, so I could not argue with that,” he said.
Two days ago, EC said automatic voter registration and Undi18 can only be implemented after September 1, 2022, due to various constraints and issues.
This has triggered various reactions, most in disagreement with the EC’s decision. – Bernama, March 27, 2021
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