KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 — The Election Commission may only register eligible voters automatically if the Federal Constitution is amended to permit this, said Azhar Azizan @ Harun.
The EC chairman added that the Election Regulations (Voter Registration) 2002 would also need to be tabled in Parliament albeit without a need for debate or voting.
“Some part of the Federal Constitution has to be amended to have automatic registration, because the current structure requires voters to file the Form A to be a registered voter.
“So this requirement has to be amended,” Azhar told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby.
Specifically, he said Article 119 (4) of the Federal Constitution on voter eligibility must be altered. The article restricts voter numbers to within 15 per cent of the electoral quota.
Yesterday, the Opposition parties asserted that they would vote for the constitutional amendment needed for the government’s bid to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 on the condition that all eligible voters are also automatically registered.
Asked if the EC would be able to execute the amendments made if Parliament approved them, Azhar said the commission is tasked to follow through the law.
“Lowering the voting age and the automatic registration are structural and policy matters which are carried out by the government and Parliament.
“The EC would follow through the laws as we are tasked to do so,” he said.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong said only the motion to amend Article 119 (1) (a) of the Federal Constitution would be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat today to lower the voting age.
“The condition has been set by the Opposition and I was also informed on the matter this morning, but I would need to discuss the matter with the Cabinet.
“The first reading will be done today, followed by the second reading and we hope the third reading will be on July 16. By then we have about 10 days to see how things will move.
“So I hope the Opposition members can allow and consider this issue that there are constitutional amendments required to be done,” he told reporters at Parliament.
