KUALA LUMPUR: The government hopes to implement automatic voter registration and voting rights to eligible 18-year-olds by 2021, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
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Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong said that the implementation by the Election Commission (EC) will take some time, as it involves about four million Malaysians who have yet to register.
“The process is going smoothly and we hope it could be finalised by Jan 2021,” he said in reply to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian), who asked the measures taken to expedite the move to implement automatic voter registration from its initial two-year target.
On another question raised by Ahmad Maslan, who asked what will be the action taken on the alleged breach of election rules by Pakatan Harapan during the Tanjung Piai by-election, Liew warned all parties to follow the current election rules and laws.
“If there are any reports lodged with the EC, the commission will take action and record it before lodging a police report for further action,” he said.
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Ahmad Maslan had asked Liew about Pakatan leaders who had reportedly given away free SIM cards and RM1,000 cash aid for fishermen, as well as food and drinks for voters in Tanjung Piai.
He also noted that there attempts by certain parties that had put up posters claiming that Barisan Nasional leaders were protecting “thieves” and asked the EC whether the announcement made by Pakatan Cabinet ministers were permissible.
To the initial question on the reforms adopted by the EC to ensure fair and transparent election, Liew said various initiatives have been taken since the 14th general election.
Among them are an extension of voting time from 8am to 5.30pm, instead of 5pm previously, providing postal vote application for overseas and local voters one day after nomination day, and live streaming of the voting process, he added. -The Star