What reason does the EC give for delaying Undi18 and AVR?

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The Election Commission cites the Covid-19 pandemic and associated movement control orders as reasons for the delay in implementing Undi18 and automatic voter registration.

The Election Commission (EC) has stated that the Covid-19 pandemic has led to delays in the implementation of the lowering of the voting age to 18 (Undi18) and automatic voter registration (AVR). The commission indicated a need to evaluate new obstacles and ongoing issues, further compounded by the various movement control orders (MCOs) that have been in effect due to the pandemic.
Pandemic Impact on Implementation

The EC's decision to delay the implementation of Undi18 and AVR is directly attributed to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. These challenges include the necessity of assessing newly emerged obstacles and persistent problems. Furthermore, the various movement control orders (MCOs) implemented throughout the pandemic have also been cited as a factor influencing the timeline for these initiatives.
Need for Evaluation and Reporting

In response to these pandemic-related disruptions, the EC has requested additional time to thoroughly evaluate the evolving situation. The commission indicated that it expected to release an interim report concerning the status of AVR and Undi18. This report was anticipated to be made public in September 2021, providing an update on the progress and any revised timelines.
Existing Information and Previous Commitments

Despite the EC's reasoning, electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 has argued that the pandemic is an inadequate excuse for the delay. They contend that the necessary information for Undi18, such as the database from the National Registration Department (JPN), already exists. Federal lawmakers had unanimously voted to amend the Federal Constitution in July 2019 to lower the voting age, with a scheduled implementation for the second half of 2021. De facto Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan had previously confirmed that Undi18 would be implemented by July 2021 at the latest.

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What reason does the EC give for delaying Undi18 and AVR?

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