PUTRAJAYA: The much-anticipated automatic voter registration (AVR) and lowering of the voting age to 18 can only be realised by Sept 1,2022, at the earliest as the Election Commission (EC) is facing constraints such as the movement control order. EC chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh explained that the nationwide MCO to curb Covid-19 had affected the commission’s plans and preparation to see the move come into fruition. He said the EC will be preparing an interim report on Undi18 and the AVR, which will be ready in September. On July 16,2019, Parliament unanimously passed the amendment to allow AVR, lower the voting age to 18, and to make 18 the minimum age for a Malaysian citizen to run for public office. However, the AVR and lowering of the voting age to 18 have yet to be completely incorporated into the federal legislation.

Source: The Star March 25, 2021 04:42 UTC