KUCHING: Rise of Social Efforts (ROSE) is urging the Election Commission (EC) to explain why they now need 36 months to implement the automatic voter registration (AVR) and the lowering of the voting age to 18.

It said the reason for the delay is the movement control order (MCO) is since the data streamlining work that may be necessary for EC to work is all available from the database of the National Registration Department and other agencies.

“It will not be able to rid itself of the public perception that it is deliberately delaying the Undi18 at the behest of the executive or ruling parties,” said ROSE in response to an announcement by EC chairman that Undi18 can only be implemented by Sept 1, 2022.

It said the immediate impact of the delay on Sarawak is that Sarawakian youth who are in the 18-20 age category are immediately excluded from the right to vote or choose their lawmakers and the new state government in the coming 12th state election.