THE Election Commission (EC) must allow voters, especially first-time voters, to be registered as postal voters automatically for the Johor elections, Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching said.

The DAP lawmaker said there was no reason why online postal voting application cannot start with Johor.

“The Johor elections will be an exciting and hopeful occasion for all Johor folk in Malaysia and overseas. It is particularly historic for those in the 18-21 age bracket who will cast their votes for the first time,” she said.

“The implementation of Undi18 and automatic voter registration (AVR) will see an increase of almost 750,000 new voters, including 175,000 new voters below the age of 21.”

In urging the EC to allow voters to be registered as postal voters immediately, Teo said in the recent Malacca elections, overseas voters were only given 13 days to register.

“There is no reason why online postal voting application cannot start now for the Johor elections,” she said.

The Johor polls will be called following the dissolution of the state assembly on January 22, with the EC due to announce polling day on February 9.

Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar dissolved the state assembly on the advice of Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad, paving the way for elections to be held within 60 days.

The Umno-led ruling government had a one-seat majority in the state assembly prior to the dissolution.

DAP and Amanah will contest in Johor under the Pakatan Harapan banner while PKR will use its on logo.

Newcomer Muda has said that it will be PH’s ally in the state election.

Meanwhile, Umno would contest at least 42 of the 56 state seats, while the remaining 14 would be contested by MCA and MIC. – February 4, 2022.