Who Promised To Implement Undi18 By 2021 Asks Minister

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Minister Azmin Ali says the next general election is only due in 2023.SHAH ALAM: A federal minister today defended the delay in implementing Undi18, pointing out that the next general election was only due to be held in 2023.
“The next election is in 2023. Who promised this would be done by 2020 or 2021?” international trade and industry minister Azmin Ali asked during a press conference, referring to the automatic registration of 18-year-olds as voters.
Azmin said there were many other steps that needed to be taken before the new law could be implemented.
His comments follow a barrage of criticisms against the Election Commission (EC) which said the automatic registration could only be implemented after September next year.
The EC said the movement restrictions had hampered its planning and preparations.
Azmin said amendments also needed to be done at the state level to allow 18-year-olds to stand as candidates in state elections.
“The EC has explained and, coincidentally, a movement control order (MCO) was imposed, so maybe it has disrupted the process.”
He urged the public not to make assumptions or play up sentiments, adding that the Perikatan Nasional-led (PN) government supported the youths’ right to vote.
Earlier today, Azmin’s Cabinet colleague, Khairy Jamaluddin, criticised the EC for delaying the implementation of Undi18.
“It’s nonsensical. The MCO was implemented a year ago,” the science, technology and innovation minister said in a statement.
Yesterday, NGO Undi18 and political party MUDA said they were planning legal action against the government over the delay. - FMT

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