KUALA LUMPUR – Undi18 has been granted leave by the high court here for a judicial review in an effort to compel the government to lower the voting age next month.
In a statement, Undi18 lawyer New Sin Yew said: “The government must now explain, on oath, the exact reason for delaying the lowering of the voting age.
“We’re grateful to the high court judge for granting leave to the youths to review the decision by the government.”
The high court here has set July 1 for case management.
The group said that it is encouraged by the court’s decision and that it holds firm to the belief that youth between the ages of 18 and 20 are owed their constitutional right to vote.
“Youth voices matter now more than ever, especially when juxtaposed against the ongoing climate of the pandemic and national emergency, where it has become increasingly pivotal for democratic values to be upheld,” the group said.
Should this judicial review succeed, about 1.2 millions Malaysians aged between 18 and 20 will be able to vote for the first time in the country’s history.
“This is an important step forward in seeking justice and voting rights for millions of Malaysian youths. We want to see this case debated on its merits and for those in power to be compelled to justify their decision to postpone the implementation of Undi18. Let young Malaysians vote. Implement Undi18 now,” said Undi18 co-founder Tharma Pillai.
The leave hearing is running concurrently with the Undi18 movement in Kuching, which was also granted leave by the high court on May 29. The high court will proceed with the hearing for the judicial review on June 30.
In March, Election Commission (EC) had announced that the automatic voter registration and lowering of the voting age could only be implemented after September 2022.
EC chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh had said the decision came about after reviewing constraints and issues affecting the EC’s initial plans and preparation.
He added that the EC’s preparation has been largely affected by the movement control order.
The EC will also prepare an interim report on automatic voter registration and Undi18 by September this year.
“It (the timeline) will be realised for the 15th general election in 2023.
“The EC would like to clarify that preparations are ongoing, including in systems development, data review and coordination, engagement programmes with government agencies, political parties and non-governmental organisations, and other related preparations.
“However, the EC would like to remain realistic as the country is still under (various) movement control orders put in place to curb Covid-19.”
Based on the EC’s latest data, there are 5.6 million citizens aged 18 and above, of which 1.2 million are aged between 18 and 20. Some 4.4 million are aged 21 and above and are eligible to vote but have yet to register as voters.
The minimum voting age was lowered to 18 from 21 previously after the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019 was passed by the Dewan Rakyat on July 16, 2019, followed by approval by the Dewan Negara on July 25, 2019. – The Vibes, June 17, 2021
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