KUALA LUMPUR – Undi18 and automatic voter registration will not be implemented for the Sarawak election on December 18, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said today.
This is despite the gazettement of laws stating that the constitutional amendment lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 will come into force on December 15.
Polling has been set for December 18.
Wan Junaidi explained that this is because the state election will only involve the electorate roll last updated on November 2.
He added that the voter roll in question was certified before the dissolution of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly on November 3, in line with Regulation 9 of the Election Regulations (Voter Registration) 2002.
“This decision was made based on legal processes, including the ruling made by the Kuching High Court, and is not meant to deny or neglect the rights and wishes of youths to vote.
“There was no pressure from any parties regarding this issue, so I hope it does not become politicised,” he said in a statement.
He also noted that the Election Commission has been notified of the gazettement, which was announced in the Federal Gazette after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong decided that December 15 will be when certain provisions in the Constitutional (Amendment) Act 2019 come into force.
Currently, under Article 119 of the federal constitution, every citizen who reaches the age of 21 is qualified to vote in their respective constituency.
With the amendment, the words “21 years” will be substituted with “18 years”.
The amendment will result in a constitutional provision that allows automatic voter registration as well.
Sarawak’s opposition has accused the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak state government of trying to deny new voters under the age of 21 a chance to vote by hastily calling for polls before 2022. – The Vibes, December 2, 2021
