Malaysia passed the constitutional amendment in July 2019 to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 years old and allows for automatic voter registration.
However, the changes have not come into force immediately. According to the Election Commission, it will be implemented no later than July 2021.
To register as a voter, the voter can simply bring the National Identity Card to the following places for registration:
- Election Commission office
- Any computerized post office
- Any mobile SPR units or public places with an Assistant Registrar Officer present
In July 2019, the Election Commission launched an online voter registration portal to allow eligible voters to register themselves online.
Registration of voters from abroad
Registration of voters for Malaysians abroad is divided into two categories:
Postal Voters / Absent Voters consisting of:
- Armed forces in service.
- Government Personnel (Federal Government, States Service or local authorities) who are in service abroad.
- Individuals studying full time abroad.
- Spouses to the list above.
The office of Malaysian Missions overseas will register the voters on behalf of the Election Commission of Malaysia (SPR). This registration exercise is only done periodically. Malaysian Missions abroad will make an announcement for the registration and checking of the voting list when requests for it to be done.