18 too young to be elected reps, says ex-EC chairman
Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman says 18-year-olds are not matured enough for this job.
PUTRAJAYA: Former Election Commission (EC) chairman Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman is of the view that 18-year-olds are too young to be elected representatives or to stand in general elections.
Rashid, who is now chairman of the Electoral Reform Committee (ERC), told FMT in an exclusive interview that he personally sees 18-year-olds as being not suitable to be elected representatives because they are too young and not mature enough.
“The function of elected representatives is different. It’s different here in our country compared to developed ones.
“We need elected representatives as welfare officers for the people. Youngsters are not suitable.”
Last July, Parliament passed constitutional amendments to lower the voting age to 18, automatic voter registration to 18 and reduced the legal age to stand in general elections to 18.
Early last month, the EC stressed that they needed two years to automatically register 18-year-olds as voters.
From the technical aspect, the EC is not ready for automatic voter registration.
On that, Rashid said that previously, 21-year-olds had no problems becoming candidates.
“But, personally, let those aged 35 and above become candidates. Let them have commitments, have a family and hold a responsible job in society first.
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“For me, maturity and the ability to represent the society in the House are important,” he told FMT.