By Jeswan Kaur
KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 (Bernama) -- There is nothing mysterious why people who are eligible to register as voters are not doing so. The truth of the matter is that it boils down to their 'tidak apa' or 'couldn't care less' attitude.
"It is a case of the young eligible voters having taken things for granted or perhaps they have this attitude that it does not matter whether they cast their vote. Voting to them seems insignificant," said lawyer Tan Sri Darshan Singh who is leading a campaign by the Malaysia National Sikhs Movement (Geraksikh).
Darshan said Geraksikh, a non-governmental organisation set up early this year, will carry out the nationwide campaign; launched early this month (April) with the support of the Election Commission (EC), to 'educate' unregistered voters until the parliament is dissolved for the next general election.
"Malaysians over the age of 21 are eligible to vote and I was told that about 4.9 million Malaysians out there are eligible to vote but have not done so. This is a big number and does not reflect a healthy state of affairs," he lamented to Bernama recently.
Darshan said there was no doubt that the EC was doing its best to deliver the message on why it is important to register as voters and Geraksikh moved in to assist the commission.
"The EC was most receptive and said Geraksikh was the first NGO in the country that has formally enquired how it could help. And we were more than welcomed to assist," he said.
HEED THE MESSAGE
Geraksikh, said Darshan, took on the task of delivering the message throughout the country on the importance of Malaysians registering as voters.
"Originally the concern was localised, i.e. asking the Malaysian Sikhs to register as voters but then the idea grew and when the campaign was launched it called upon not just the Malaysian Sikhs but other Malaysians as well, which just about ropes in all and sundry," he explained.
The Ipoh-based Darshan said that as of March 12 this year 10,248,948 names were on the voters list although the Election Commission records show the existence of 15 million people eligible to vote.
"Geraksikh calls upon all those who have yet to register to do so, now. Bear in mind that there is a window period of three months from the date of registration and to gazette the name. So the sooner you register the better," he added.
YOUNG MALAYSIANS NONCHALANT
Darshan said enquiries and research made by Geraksikh revealed that the majority of those who have yet to register as voters comprised the young Malaysians group."These are those who fall into the 21 to 35 age bracket. And they constitute 70 percent of the 4.9 million who have not yet registered.
"Geraksikh probed further and found that some did not know where to register. While others felt doing so was a very cumbersome process. The information revealed to us that the correct message had not been relayed to the people.
To register, make your way to the post offices or the state Election Commission office. There is nothing tedious about the registration process. It takes a mere five minutes or so. When we told the youngsters about this, they were totally surprised," he explained.
Darshan said there were those who said they were not interested in elections."They gave flimsy excuses like they were busy and lacked the time to justify their delay in registering. This reflects an 'attitude' issue with our youngsters."
CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME
Darshan said Geraksikh had written to all Sikh temples (gurdwaras) to make announcements informing Sikhs on how and where to register as voters. "We are also writing to the universities and polytechnics to deliver the message that Geraksikh is here to assist you to register as voters," he added.
As for the 59-year-old Darshan, the endeavours of Geraksikh in reaching out to the people to register as voters served as a deja vu.His first 'encounter' in contributing to the public was in 1986 through the Velodrome Rakyat project.
Darshan has been involved in the cycling sports for over 30 years. Among his feats include being appointed as a member of the management board of the International Cycling Union and is currently the chairman of the Sultan Azlan Shah Track Asia Cup, an Asian-level cycling event.
"Two decades ago metaphorically speaking I was knocking on doors, and with the help of the rakyat and the media, we delivered for Malaysia the first velodrome through public donations. And we aptly called it Velodrome Rakyat.
"Now, after 21 years, I have put on my gear again, but at a different level. In spite of my busy schedule, I have to play my part and meet this new challenge.
"Still in the dark about how or where to register as a voter? Contact Darshan at 012-5017732 or 05-2418177 (office) Amarjit at 012-5008889.-- BERNAMA
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