PETALING JAYA, Nov 1 — PKR has suggested that a one-off ‘Democracy Incentive’ be given by the caretaker government to first-time voters to encourage them to cast their ballots on November 19.
PKR communications director Lee Chean Chung said that research conducted by the party on both young and new voters found that they could be divided into two groups.
He said the first group was those who do not realise that they are voters and have the right to choose the country’s leadership.
“They need encouragement and encouragement to go out and vote.
“The second group is the people who are ready to vote on November 19 but have financial constraints to go home to vote.
“The financial level of this group is not yet independent because many are still studying or have just started working,” he told a press conference at the PKR headquarters today.
Lee said the incentive should be implemented as soon as possible in a fair, transparent and efficient manner.
However, he said PKR would leave it to the caretaker government to decide the actual amount of the incentive and what aid distribution network to use to disburse the incentive.
“This ‘Democracy Incentive’ will encourage them to vote and reduce their transportation costs.
“I will not suggest a quantum for this proposed incentive, but I do hope the current transitional government can look into it,” he said.
Previously, the Election Commission announced the implementation of automatic voter registration (AVR) and the lowering of the voting age to 18, which in turn has added 5.8 million new voters to the electoral roll for the coming general election.
Of that number, 1.2 million are between 18 and 21, while 4.6 million are those aged 21 and over who were not registered previously.
