PENANG, March 28 – The 18 year old is now able to vote and determine the elected representatives who will shape the future of the country. Since automatic voter registration was implemented in December 2021, voters in Penang have soared and reached an increase of 256,734 people according to sources provided by the Election Commission (EC).
This number of voters cannot be ignored and will be the determinant of the future. With this, the authentic facts as well as the responsibilities and rights as a voter should be shared and disclosed to them before making a decision during the next election.
To raise awareness of the community at various levels and promote awareness and importance of elections in Malaysia, especially for young people and first time voters, the Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC) has organized the UNDI18 Campaign which is a long term campaign that will cover various activities and initiatives.
The UNDI18 campaign focuses on election awareness and the voting process. Participants will be exposed to the concept of construction, governance and government administration, also given the opportunity to participate in a simulation session on polling day as a direct exposure to prove the transparency of the process.
The objective for the UNDI18 Campaign is to raise civic awareness among the youths in Penang and encourage young people to vote in the upcoming elections. In addition, it also provides exposure on the electoral process and system in Malaysia.
The UNDI18 campaign was opened with the first session at KADUN Bagan Jermal on 27 March 2022 with the cooperation of the Election Commission (EC). A total of 50 youths took part in the UNDI18 Campaign session this morning.
The Election Academy (APR) which is under the EC has conducted the Voter Education Program for the UNDI18 Campaign in KADUN Bagan Jermal. Among the contents that have been submitted by APR are as follows:-
- System of Government in Malaysia
- History of Elections in Malaysia
- Principles of Elections in Malaysia
- The Importance of Voting
- Introduction to EC (Sources of Power, History, Member Composition and functions)
- The Process of Conducting Elections
- Simulation of the Voting Process and Counting of Votes
- Election Issues and Challenges (Voter Registration, Blackout Issues, Ghost Voters, Vote Secrecy)
With theoretical and practical sessions, participants will have direct exposure to elections in Malaysia, especially on the voting process which is rarely experienced by youths.
The UNDI18 campaign at KADUN Bagan Jermal was also attended by the Penang Government Youth and Sports EXCO cum Bagan Jermal ADUN YB. Soon Lip Chee, Director of the Penang State Election Office, Dr. Siti Nazariah as well as representatives from the Election Academics.
YB Soon said: Next, the PYDC will go through the UNDI18 Campaign tour to other KADUNs and will work with higher education institutions to bring this exposure to local students and youths so that information on the election can be disseminated to all.
