UNDI18 has started holding various online programmes through social media to get young voters to return for the Sungai Bakap by-election.
Its co-founder Tharma Pillai said their main aim is to get people, especially young voters, to go out and cast their ballots even though it is a by-election.
He said that just like other elections, it will be a challenge to get voters who are working or studying in other states to return.
“As an organisation, we are very supportive of informing the masses about the importance of the need to vote. What we are doing is pushing for the young voters to return to vote,” he told The Vibes.
The Election Commission has set July 6 for polling day, with nominations slated for June 22. Early voting is on July 2.
The by-election for the Penang state seat was called when its PAS assemblyman, Nor Zamri Latiff, died on May 14.
There are around 38,409 registered voters in the constituency as of last year, of which 59.36% are Malays, Chinese (22.54%) Indians (17.39%) and other ethnicities (0.71%).
Tharma said for a by-election, the voter turnout rate will be around 60%, so his expectation is that the youth voter turnout rate will be around 55% since many will be working and studying out of town.
He said that the best way to reach out to young voters is through all the social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and others.
“Social media is the best platform, otherwise it will be too difficult to reach the young voters who are studying or working in other states such as Kedah, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur and other areas.
“The narrative is also more towards voters’ education and to ensure they understand what the functions of government and current issues are.”
As for going down to the ground to mobilise their team, Tharma said that that could happen closer to polling time.
“It is challenging to do specific programmes on the ground, because you will only reach people who are living around the area (Sungai Bakap) who tend to vote anyway.
“We will definitely go down, but just to observe what’s happening (towards polling day).”
Tharma also said that political parties are aware of the situation and could already have started enticing voters to return.
“Their people will have to have a strong social media presence and run very strong programmes to get the voters to return.”
More by-elections on the cards
On Bersatu sacking six of their lawmakers, Tharma said if there are more by-elections, then they will have to prepare for it.
“As it is, we already have a network of Undi 18 people and young volunteers nationwide. If it happens, then we will need to mobilise our volunteers to focus on the different constituencies.
“We not only want to get them to come back to vote but also to create awareness on the political situation and educate them to vote for the right principles and right reasons.”
On Wednesday, Bersatu said notices had been issued to the said members informing them of their expulsion.
Party secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the notices were sent pursuant to the directive issued by Bersatu’s supreme council, which convened on June 7, 2024.
He said the process was conducted in line with the party’s constitution and national legislation as provided under Article 49(A) of the Federal Constitution or under state government laws.
The six MPs had also failed to respond to a written instruction from the party’s supreme leadership council to pledge allegiance to the party.
The MPs are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Zulkafperi Hanafi (Tanjong Karang) and Suhaili.
Tharma said that there is a possibility that the six by-elections might not happen as the Dewan Rakyat speaker might say that these cases should be taken up in court.
“The speaker also has the authority and power to declare that no by-election is needed two years before the general election.
“Undi 18 is waiting to see what’s the political movement and strategy by the Madani government. So, it is too early to plan anything.” – June 17, 2024.
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