Constitution allows Undi 18 but no instrument to implement it, says Rais Yatim

BANTING (Bernama): The voting age has been lowered to 18 in the Federal Constitution but the Elections Act 1958 needs to be amended before Undi 18 can be implemented, says Dewan Negara President Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim (pic).

"While there is a proposal for people aged 18 to become an automatic voter, the Elections Act and the rules under the Election Offences Act have not been amended.

"Even though the Constitution has been amended under Article 48, for example, it still cannot be carried out because the avenue is not provided. So, even though the Constitution has been amended, there is no infrastructure through election laws," he said.

He told reporters this after participating in a 'gotong-royong' programme with Yayasan Budi volunteers and Orang Asli at Mah Meri Cultural Village in Pulau Carey here on Thursday (April 1).

Rais said the general election committee had neglected something basic, namely, the basis of rules and laws incidental to Constitutional amendments made.

"The law is the main question, and that must be implemented first. If not, the will of the people cannot be implemented.

"The law is not implemented at the infrastructure level ... therefore those who are 18 years old cannot be forced to automatically become voters," he said. – Bernama