PKR assemblyperson Sim Tze Tin wants the Election Commission (EC) to introduce online and automatic voter registration to cut down on its six-month processing period to update voters' list.

Sim, representative of the Pantai Jerejak constituency, said the current process was too long and would breach a voter's right if an election was held during that period.

He recalled a 1999 general election episode when about 680,000 new voters were denied their right to cast their ballot even though registered as voters much earlier.

"The online process would ensure instant registration as a voter without hassle," said Sim, the Penang PKR youth vice-chairperson.

He also said that registration can also be done for MyKad applicants. This assures all Malaysians are granted their right to vote when they reach the age of 21.

Htony pua cast ballot 080308 lineupe said statistics from the United Nations Development Programme Malaysia Report and the Merdeka Centre Youth Survey showed that 44% of eligible voters had not registered themselves.

He said 32 per cent or 8.64 million out of the country's 27 million people are between the ages of 20 and 39. It is estimated that over 3.8 million eligible voters have yet to register.

"This is a staggering number which the EC should rectify," said Sim. "The Merdeka centre survey revealed that most young people did not count voting a high priority in their lives."

Online registration convenient

He said they cited a busy daily schedule and other commitments, lack of time, indifference or negative perceptions towards politics among reasons for their lack of desire to vote.

"About eight percent of people surveyed said they don't know where to register as voters. I suggest online and automatic registration as a simple and convenient way to register voters," he said.

For his part, Sim is organising a voter registration exercise on Saturday at Queensbay Mall in Bayan Baru, Penang

The two and half-hour event commencing at 4pm will be officiated by Deputy Chief Minister I Mansor Othman. The programme called "Jom Daftar Undi" is to be held every Saturday.

Sim said since the general election is to be held within the next few years, it is vital for Penangites to register early due to the six-month period to process and update the voters' list.

He said it was important to engage young people in this democratic process and help them exercise their fundamental right to have a greater say in the future of the country.

"PKR strongly feels that registering as a voter is every citizen's obligation. It is their duty to come forward to register themselves," said Sim.