How does the Bill propose to lower the voting age?

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The Bill Proposes to Lower the Voting Age by Amending the Federal Constitution

The Bill, known as the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019, seeks to lower Malaysia's voting age from 21 to 18 years old by amending Article 119 of the Federal Constitution. This change involves replacing the words "twenty-one years" with "eighteen years" in the relevant section of the constitution, thereby broadening the pool of eligible Malaysian citizens who can participate in the electoral process.
Lowering the Minimum Voting Age

The primary mechanism proposed by the Bill is a direct amendment to Article 119(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution. This clause currently stipulates that a citizen must be at least twenty-one years old to be qualified to vote. The proposed alteration would substitute "twenty-one years" with "eighteen years," effectively reducing the minimum age requirement for voting.
Eligibility Requirements for 18-Year-Old Voters

Beyond reaching the age of 18, citizens must meet additional criteria to be eligible to vote. As per the proposed amendments, an 18-year-old citizen must also be a resident or an absent voter within their respective constituency and be a registered voter. These existing requirements, when read in conjunction with the lowered age threshold, ensure that while more citizens can vote, they must still be properly registered and associated with a specific electoral district.
Automatic Voter Registration for Young Citizens

In conjunction with the lowered voting age, the Bill introduces a significant change to the voter registration process. It proposes to amend Article 119(4)(b) by replacing the phrase "applies for registration" with "is registered." This means that upon reaching the age of 18 and meeting the basic qualifications, citizens will be automatically registered as electors by the Election Commission, eliminating the need for a separate application process.
Expanding Eligibility for Lawmakers

The Bill's scope extends beyond just the right to vote; it also proposes to lower the minimum age requirement for individuals seeking to become federal and state lawmakers. Amendments to Article 47(b) and Section 5 of the Eighth Schedule of the Federal Constitution would reduce the eligibility age for a Member of Parliament (MP) and a State Legislative Assembly member from 21 years to 18 years, aligning these qualifications with the new voting age.

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How does the Bill propose to lower the voting age?

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