Over 350,000 Undi18 voters have verified details with EC: Wan Junaidi

KUALA LUMPUR – A total of 357,591 first-time voters have checked and confirmed their details with the Election Commission (EC) as of October 31 this year, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

He said the EC is in the midst of checking the pre-registration of automatic voters (SPPA), which is aimed at providing opportunities for those aged 18 and above to check and confirm their details registered with the EC before they become registered voters automatically.

Wan Junaidi added that first-time voters have until December 31 to do so.

“The EC expects all issues raised to be resolved and subsequently ensure the eligibility of voters aged 18 (and above), as well as their automatic voter registration by December 31, 2021.

“The EC is committed to making sure the eligible voting age of 18 and the automatic voter registration will be implemented based on the judicial review of the Kuching High Court in Sarawak on September 3.”

Wan Junaidi said this in a written response in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday following a question fielded by Wong Shu Qi (Kluang-PH) on the number of Malaysians aged 18 and above that have confirmed their details in the SPPA until October 31.

On October 30, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob assured that the eligible voting age will be lowered from 21 to 18 starting January 1 next year, in line with the Kuching High Court’s decision on the matter. 

Yesterday, Wan Junaidi said Undi18 cannot be implemented by December 31 this year as the EC is not ready to implement it.

He also denied claims that the government was “afraid” to lower the voting age and urged critics to cease politicising the matter.

The EC, he said, also pointed out several issues that needed to be resolved to ensure a smooth implementation of the system.

Regardless, Wan Junaidi said EC will not oppose the decision made by the Kuching High Court. – The Vibes, November 17, 2021