PUTRAJAYA, Jan 25 (Sin Chew Daily) — A total of 176,618 new voters aged between 18 and 20 in Johor are set to vote for the first time in the upcoming state polls, says Election Commission deputy chairman Dr Azmi Sharom.

Young voters in this age group making up 6.8% of the 2,599,797 eligible voters in Johor have been added into the electoral roll following the January 14 gazette to include voters who turned 18 as of December 31 last year.

Newly registered voters in Johor increase by 756,247, with those aged between 18 and 20 make up 23.35% of new voters.

The Johor state assembly was dissolved on January 22 to pave way for a state election to be held within 60 days.

As the state assembly was dissolved after the electoral roll was gazetted, those aged 18 and above as of Dec 31 will be eligible to vote.

On January 6, the Johor state assembly also amended its constitution to lower the minimum age of election candidates for state seats from 21 to 18 years.

On whether an 18-year-old youth is eligible to be an election candidate, Dr Azmi said the answer should be given by the Johor state government.

It is learned that an 18-year-old youth is not eligible to be an election candidate until the amendment of the constitution is gazetted.