KUALA LUMPUR – Youth-led party Muda has announced that it will file a court case against the Election Commission (EC) over the postponement of Undi18.
The party in a statement said the suit will be filed as soon as possible as the reasons given for the delay “did not make sense” and appear to “make a fool” out of Malaysians.
“It makes no sense that at a time of movement control orders (MCOs) and declaration of emergency, when students need to study from home, and people need to make a living to pay bank loans, that a government agency uses petty excuses such as bureaucracy (to delay Undi18).
“The registrations (of young voters) should not take more than two years.”
Earlier today, EC said automatic voter registrations and Undi18 can be done only after September next year.
Chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said the decision came about after reviewing constraints and issues that have affected EC’s initial plans and preparation, which have been largely affected by the MCO.
EC will prepare an interim report on automatic voter registration and Undi18 by September.
Muda said it sees this delay as a violation of democratic rights and contradictory to the constitution, as more than two-thirds of parliamentarians have supported the motion.
“Thus, it is true that the government of the day is afraid of the youth. It is determined to suppress youth.”
1.2 million Malaysians in 18-to-20 age group
Meanwhile, the Young Voters Association called on Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to state his commitment on reducing the age limit for voters as previously decided by the cabinet.
The association, also known as Undi18, said the government should not deny those aged 18 to 20 the right to vote.
It noted the EC’s own statement that there are 1.2 million people in that age group compared to 4.4 million aged 21 and above.
“We are of the opinion that the EC is creating the perception that the voting rights of those aged below 21 is not valuable,” Undi18 said in a statement.
It added that the postponement will affect youth involvement in restoring Malaysia’s democratic system.
“Therefore, Undi18 urges that Malaysian citizens aged 18 to 20 be given the right to vote immediately.”
The group said it is aware that the amendment to Article 119(1) of the federal constitution, which involves automatic voter registration, may take longer to implement.
However, it said that young voters should still be allowed to register themselves immediately, in line with the set time frame to implement the new age policy. – The Vibes, March 25, 2021
