How did the Undi 18 Bill achieve unanimous parliamentary support?

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Unanimous Parliamentary Support for Undi 18 Bill Achieved Through Bipartisan Agreement

The Undi 18 Bill, which seeks to lower the voting age to 18 and implement automatic voter registration, garnered unanimous support from both the Opposition bloc and government backbenchers. This constitutional amendment received 211 votes in the Dewan Rakyat, significantly surpassing the two-thirds majority required for its passage. Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressed gratitude for the unity displayed by MPs, emphasizing that such consensus serves the collective benefit of all Malaysians.
Bipartisan Support for Constitutional Amendment

The Undi 18 Bill marked a historic occasion for the Pakatan Harapan administration, being its first successful constitutional amendment to secure backing from across the political divide. The bill, which also enables 18-year-olds to contest in elections, passed its second and third readings without opposition, with the final vote count being 211 yeas, zero nays, and no abstentions. This broad consensus underscores a shared commitment to electoral reform.
Election Commission's Voter Education Initiatives

In anticipation of the expanded electorate, the Election Commission (EC) has been actively engaged in voter education programs since 2017. Through its Election Academy (APR), the EC has been disseminating information about Malaysia's electoral process, with a particular focus on engaging youth. Furthermore, the EC has implemented the APR Associate Trainer (AAT) program to equip more lecturers and coaches to spread awareness about electoral matters.
Planned Voter Education Programs

For the current year, the APR has scheduled 150 voter education programs, with an ambitious target of reaching 45,000 students across secondary schools and higher learning institutions. These initiatives are designed to foster a deeper understanding of democratic participation and the mechanics of Malaysian elections among the younger generation.
Government Stance on Compulsory Voting and Electoral Roll Clean-up

Regarding the proposal for compulsory voting, the government currently has no plans to implement such a measure. Prime Minister Mahathir noted that countries with compulsory voting, such as Singapore (93.56 per cent turnout) and Australia (91.89 per cent turnout), have not achieved 100 per cent voter participation. Additionally, the government has committed to addressing concerns about the accuracy of electoral rolls, specifically updating addresses, before the full implementation of automatic voter registration by the EC.

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How did the Undi 18 Bill achieve unanimous parliamentary support?

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