KUALA LUMPUR – Following the law minister’s promise to implement Undi18 “soon”, Bersih 2.0 has slammed the Election Commission chairman as “incompetent and unqualified”.
In a statement, the polls watchdog called for the lowered voting age to be implemented immediately, and for Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan to set a date for this.
“His statement that Undi18 will be implemented soon is open to interpretation and unconvincing. The government and EC must explain why a month ago they said Undi 18 could not be done.
“It should not be postponed any longer without clear and reasonable reasons.
Bersih is of the view that EC chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh is incompetent and unqualified to take on the huge responsibility of implementing AVR (automatic voter registration) and Undi18.
“His previous excuse that Undi18 could be implemented only in September next year shows that he is incapable of navigating this important institution.”
It raises the question of whether the EC is an independent body, said the group, as the commission has been given sufficient time to implement AVR.
“Did the government deliberately want to delay the implementation of Undi18 and block the right of 18-year-olds to go to the polls?
“Did the EC chairman also follow the cabinet’s instructions to delay the implementation of Undi18?”
Last month, the EC said AVR and Undi18 will take effect only in September next year.
Meanwhile, proponents of Undi18 will today hold a breaking-of-fast event in front of the Parliament building from 6pm to urge Putrajaya to resume the parliamentary sitting and end the state of emergency.
Newly formed civil society group Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat two days ago issued six demands to the government, to address the people’s plight amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
It also wants Takiyuddin and the government to provide a clear timeline for Undi18 and AVR’s implementation.
“We demand to know the technical challenges that currently impede its swift execution.”
The six demands include calling on Putrajaya to work for the people by ending the emergency and reconvening Parliament, and implementing Undi18 immediately.
The others are guaranteeing the independence of the people’s economy, consolidating the education system to ensure a safe learning space for all Malaysians, the impartial and humane enforcement of the law, and for Sabah and Sarawak rights to be strengthened.
The Undi18 Bill covers amendments to Article 119 of the federal constitution as set out in the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2019. Section 3(a) of the Constitution (Amendment) Act seeks to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 years old.
According to the EC, Malaysia has 4.4 million unregistered voters yet to exercise their right to participate in the nation’s democratic spaces. – The Vibes, April 30, 2021
