State polls: More Undi-18 voters expected following GE15 experience, says Adam Adli

GEORGE TOWN: The number of Undi-18 voters is expected to increase for the upcoming state elections after they experienced voting for the first time in the 15th General Election (GE15) last year, says Adam Adli Abd Halim.

The Youth and Sports Deputy Minister said he hoped the number of young voters would be well-represented in the mandate for the state governments that will be established after the Aug 12 polls.

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"GE15 allowed them (Undi-18 voters) to realise (the importance of voting) from real-life experience," he said to the media after launching the Penang-level Fit Malaysia Programme at Padang Kota Lama here on Sunday (Aug 6).

Undi-18 refers to voters in the 18-20 age group who are now able to cast their ballots after the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 in 2021.

Voters in Selangor, Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Negri Sembilan will cast their votes to elect their new state governments on Aug 12, with early voting on Aug 8. The Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election will also be held on the same date.

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Meanwhile, the Fit Malaysia Programme at the Penang state level is the curtain raiser for the national programme and will make its way to Terengganu this Aug 19 at Bandar Baru Kuala Nerus.

Adam Adli said the programme, which has a health carnival concept, had met its target participation of 11,000 Penangites from all ages who participated in activities such as a 10km and 30km fun ride, a 5km and 30km fun run, a 3km fun walk as well as a fitness and health fair.

"The Fit Malaysia Programme will tour the whole country and reach its final destination at Dataran Pahlawan Putrajaya on Oct 14," he added.

He said the programme is an a Youth and Sports Ministry initiative through the National Youth and Sports Department. – Bernama