KUALA LUMPUR – At least two local universities will be postponing their convocation ceremonies to avoid clashing with polling day for the 15th general election (GE15) on November 19.
The International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) confirmed on its Facebook page that it will be delaying its 38th convocation function to December 3-7.
“The change of dates is inevitable, and we regret the inconvenience caused,” the statement issued by the institution’s Deputy Rector’s Office said.
Universiti Malaya (UM), meanwhile, is also said to be planning to postpone its convocation, which was originally slated to take place on the same day.
IIUM’s confirmation was published a short while after the Election Commission (EC) declared vital dates for GE15.
The university also said that the change is to allow those involved in the ceremony to carry out their voting duties.
The EC earlier today announced polling for GE15 and state elections for Perlis, Pahang and Perak on November 19, a Saturday.
The by-election for the Bugaya state seat in Sabah will also be held on the same day.
Nomination day is fixed on November 5, while early voting will be held on November 15.
IIUM had initially scheduled its convocation ceremonies to take place on November 19-23, which would see the first day of graduation formalities coinciding with GE15 polling day.
Meanwhile, a source from UM told The Vibes that a postponement of its 62nd convocation ceremony is all but confirmed, with the process to reschedule the event – originally planned for November 19-27 – already in motion.
The source, who requested anonymity, said that the new dates for the function are pending approval from the varsity’s higher authorities.
“It is safe to say that a postponement (of the UM convocation dates) is definite. However, we are waiting for (the approval of) university authorities.”
When contacted by The Vibes, University Malaya Student Union (UMSU) president Ooi Guo Shen said that the group will be implementing measures to ease the way for student voters to cast their ballots.
“We (UMSU) will be coordinating carpooling initiatives while working with external student and youth organisations to provide transport and assistance (to and from voting centres),” he said.
He added that the union is attempting to have November 18, the day before polling day, as a “holiday”, where classes are either rescheduled or conducted online, giving students enough time to travel.
The updated electoral roll officially released by the EC today shows that citizens aged 18 to 20 represent 1.39 million (6.5%) of the 21.17 million eligible voters, following the implementation of Undi18, which allows youths aged 18 and above to cast their votes. – The Vibes, October 20, 2022
