Automatic voter registration possible in two years
Published on: Saturday, July 20, 2019
By: Bernama
Kuala Lumpur: The Election Commission is confident that it will have a system in place for automatic registration of voters within two years, in time for the 15th general election (GE15).Its deputy chairman Dr Azmi Sharom said that with the lowering of the voting age from 21 to 18, this would be a challenge for the commission but it was committed to shouldering the task.
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“It will take a little time. However, we believe the system will be ready for GE15 and should take about 18 months to two years to be in place.
“There is much the EC needs to do... we also have to be ready for the millions of additional voters, like for instance determining the number of polling centres and voting streams needed besides purchasing ballot boxes and beefing up staff strength,” he told Bernama after appearing as a guest on the Ruang Bicara programme titled “Bill on Lowering Voting Age to 18” aired by Bernama News Channel.
Besides lowering the voting age from 21 to 18, the Bill also seeks to lower, also from 21 to 18, the eligible age to contest elections and serve as MPs and state assemblymen, as well as automatic registration as voters.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill 2019 on this was passed by the Dewan Rakyat yesterday with more than two-thirds majority after all 211 MPs present voted for it.
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Azmi said the focus now was for the EC, with the cooperation of the National Registration Department, to ensure that the system is transparent, safe and efficient for a smooth polling process.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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“Online registration can be done at your fingertips, no need to do it manually at the Post Office or at any counters, so there is no problem for those who are eligible to register as voters."
