EC must review proposal to list potential voters, says Wan Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) should review a proposal to create an annual expansive list of 20-year olds, which can be used to address issues of unregistered voters among youths, who number about four million.

Former deputy EC chairman Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said the proposal was previously discussed during his stint on the EC’s panel, which included former EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof.

However, Wan Ahmad said the proposal could not be relayed to the administration due to the hectic preparations for the 13th General Election.

Based on the National Registry Department’s record, Wan Ahmad said EC could implement efforts to track down 400,000 20-year olds, who would be eligible voters after a year.

“When they turn 21, EC will reach them via mail or online to request them to register as voters.

“As of now, we have almost four million (youths) who are unregistered voters.

“We cannot remain silent over this matter, or (stop short at)

simply encouraging them to go out and vote, because the people’s mindset on polls have not changed so much, despite experiencing a few general elections.

“Since joining EC in 1997, (I had found out) that there were two million unregistered voters. And the number kept increasing over the course of four general elections.

“It is not that I want to pressure EC, but I just feel that the proposal should be reviewed.

“Also, it is time for it to be given serious consideration and to find a solution,” Wan Ahmad said yesterday.

On Friday, political analyst Associate Professor Datuk Dr Ismail Sualman proposed compulsory preregistration of school-leavers as voters.

Ismail said voter pre-registration would increase the number of youths to be registered, upon reaching the eligibility age of 21, to more than 90 per cent.

In response, Wan Ahmad disagreed and said it would be too early for school-leavers to take part in politics.

Since joining EC in 1997, (I had found out) that there were two million unregistered voters. And the number kept increasing over the course of four general elections.

DATUK SERI WAN AHMAD WAN OMAR

Former deputy Election Commission chairman