THE fresh faces political parties have fielded in the 2022 general election are unlikely to kick up a fuss, let alone pull off a major upset, according to political analysts.

It is because the move is largely experimental with no precedent to act as a guide, they said.

The number of young candidates the parties have nominated is a noticeable feature of this general election as the old guards look for a sure-fire solution to winning the votes of the six million first-time voters – those aged 18 to 29 – who now make up the bulk of voters.

Based on the old political ideology, these new faces are usually those who have been groomed to take over the old guards when the time comes, political analyst Tang Ah Chai said.

“It’s a tradition. The party needs to rejuvenate itself by introducing new blood. But we do know that in reality many aging elected representatives refuse to step down even when they are past their prime.

“These new faces that have been fielded would, in theory, have served their apprenticeship by working as an assistant to an elected rep or a party leader, and when they are ready they are then picked to stand for election.”

But with millions of young first-time voters – as a result of the passage of Undi18 and the implementation of automatic voter registration – going to cast their votes, the political landscape has dramatically changed for all political parties, leaving their leaders grappling for solutions to address an unfamiliar territory.

“There is certainly a significant increase in young voters. According to the figures, we will be seeing more than six million first-time voters, and those aged 18 to 29 make up the largest number,” Tang said.

“Those under-30 are mostly students, in secondary school, college or university, and students don’t necessarily care about politics of the past.

“Even the political stalwarts, with their years of experience, feel uncomfortable with this new generation of electors.”

With these in mind, one of the solutions most parties seemed to favour, he added, is to field young candidates, like the 29-year-old Hooi Mi Suet, in the hopes that the young candidates are able to generate appeal among youth voters.

Tang was referring to Parti Warisan Sabah’s candidate for Simpang Pulai in Perak, a new face who has dominated social media.

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman mass communication lecturer, Liew Wui Chern, shares Tang’s views.

“Political parties are hoping to win over the new voters with one of their kind.

“The old, aging elected representative might not be a familiar face to these new first-time young voters.

“These voters’ general disinterest in politics could see them being unsure about which direction to take or who to choose. A fresh young face could possibly do the trick,” he said.

“Of course on the flip side, some political parties would just stick to the tried-and-tested formula that had brought them results for so long.”

Liew pointed out the national polls this time around is full of uncertainties.

With so many variables, party leaders, he said, would definitely try to be conservative and opt to not make drastic changes.

“Some parties will only send the new faces to the grey or black areas in with the hope of making something happen.

“That’s the reason why political parties don’t field rookies in key constituencies like Pagoh, Seremban or Bagan Datuk.”

Will this “fresh-faced strategy” work?

It all depends on the unique situation in the respective constituencies, Tang said.

He said it could work if the new faces are up against incumbents or representatives who have overstayed their welcome and are past their shelf life.

“On the other hand, it’s certainly not easy for a new face to pull off an upset if the incumbent has performed well and is well-liked by the constituents.”

Tang said one downside could be the resentment older party supporters or voters in the area may have for the new faces if they are seen to have shoved an established candidate out of the way.

That, he said, is discontent the party could ill afford.

“Just imagine what happens if someone who has served the constituency well is groomed to be the next in line but is suddenly overlooked and replaced by an unknown?”

Tang said if that happens, it could create a lot of unhappiness with some going against the party.

Political analyst Cheah See Kian was blunt when he said the new faces will not have the desired effect though it will give the voters “something pretty to look at” and an impression of the party attempting something new.

“These new faces, they make no difference to the no-so-politically savvy first-time voters. Whether to old or new electors, they are all unknown faces.

“It probably will still not offer a clue on how they should cast the ballot in their hand.”

With the nomination process over last Saturday, campaigning in all the 222 parliamentary seats, 116 state seats in three states, and the Bugaya by-election in Sabah that is held simultaneously with the general election, is now in full swing.

All seats will see contest – the most contested being the Batu parliamentary seat, which 10 candidates are vying for.

The state seat with a crowded field is Perak Jaya with seven candidates.

Seven candidates are also contesting in the Bugaya by-election.

The campaign period is two weeks with voters heading to the polls on November 19. – November 11, 2022.