KUALA LUMPUR: The much-anticipated Undi 18 will be implemented latest by Dec 31 this year, in line with the Kuching High Court decision on Sept 3 last year, said Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law).
Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the government would not appeal the court's decision last year where it was ruled that the Election Commission (EC) and government must implement Undi 18 by Dec 31.
Wan Junaidi said though the government initially planned on implementing Undi 18 in September 2022, Putrajaya made a decision on September 10 that the new system will take effect this year.
"The Undi 18 judicial review decision at the Kuching High Court concluded that the 18 years old voter eligibility age and automatic voter registration (system) must be implemented latest by Dec 31, 2021.
"Thus, despite the constraints and shortcomings, the EC is committed in ensuring the 18 years old voter eligibility age and automatic voter registration will be implemented based on the court's decision," he told Dewan Rakyat today.
Wan Junaidi said after reading reports on the High Court's decision last year, the government felt that from the legal point of view, Putrajaya would have no problem expediting the Undi 18 implementation.
"It is only about shortening the time, so instead of Sept 2022, it will be Dec 31 and I have discussed this matter with the EC and we concluded that we will adhere to the court decision.
"In fact, cabinet decided on Sept 10 that we would not appeal the court decision."
Wan Junaidi was responding to a question by Gobind Singh Deo (PH-Puchong) who asked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri on the status of Undi 18 implementation.