Will voting at 18 be enacted before GE15?

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Undi 18 Legislation's Enactment Before GE15 Remains Uncertain Amidst State Bill Passage

The implementation of the Undi 18 legislation, which lowers the voting age to 18, and automatic voter registration faces uncertainty regarding its enactment before the 15th General Election (GE15). While the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) previously indicated an expected implementation by July of this year, the passage of necessary state bills remains a hurdle.
Call for Implementation Before GE15

Delegates at the Gerakan Youth National Delegates’ Conference have urged for the Undi 18 legislation to be in effect for the upcoming 15th General Election. Acting Gerakan Youth chief Wong Chia Zhen explicitly stated this demand, highlighting the importance of allowing younger citizens to participate in the democratic process. This push signifies a desire for timely legislative action to ensure youth enfranchisement.
State Bill Passage as a Key Obstacle

A significant impediment to the nationwide implementation of Undi 18 is the lack of passage of corresponding state bills in some regions. Wong Chia Zhen informed the conference attendees that certain states have not yet enacted the necessary legislation to permit youths to engage in the democratic voting process. This indicates a fragmented approach to the reform at the state level, potentially delaying its overall effectiveness.
Previous Government Target for Implementation

Previously, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan had announced a target for the legislation allowing voting at age 18 and automatic voter registration. This official statement indicated an expectation that these reforms would be implemented by July of the current year. However, the current status of these state bill passages raises questions about whether this July deadline is still achievable.

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Will voting at 18 be enacted before GE15?

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