EC chief: Constitution needs further amending for automatic voter registration

The government needs to seek another amendment to the Federal Constitution to implement automatic voter registration (AVR), Election Commission chief Azhar Azizan Harun said today.

When met at the Parliament lobby, Azhar said the government needs to amend Article 119(4) of the Constitution on the date by which individuals become eligible to vote.

"Under the current framework, those who register (as voters) need to fill up Form A," he said.

Azhar also noted that the Elections (Registration of Electors) Regulations 2002 would have to be amended – which must be tabled in Parliament, but do not require the approval of the House.

Read more: Gov't tables constitutional bill to lower voting age

Today, the Youth and Sports Ministry will table an amendment to Article 119(1) for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat to lower the voting age from 21 to 18.

For a constitutional bill to be passed, a two-thirds majority of the Dewan Rakyat is required.

Earlier, BN, PAS and GPS lawmakers indicated that they would support the government's effort to lower the voting age, on the condition that this is done via automatic voter registration.

Automatic voter registration was listed under Promise 17 of Pakatan Harapan's election manifesto.

It is expected the government's move to lower the voting age will increase the number of eligible voters by 3.5 million by the 15th general election.

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