Young voters crucial to election outcome

THE voting trend of young voters is hard to fathom.

In 2013, the majority of young voters, especially the Chinese, supported Pakatan Rakyat (PR), allowing the Opposition to win 50.87% of the popular vote and a record 89 seats.

Statistics showed that as many as 90% of electorate aged 30 and below, voted for PR in the 13th general election (GE13).

However the statistics also showed that some 63% of those in their 30s voted for Barisan Nasional (BN), Sin Chew Daily reported yesterday.

Based on the electoral roll adopted for the upcoming polls (updated until the fourth quarter of 2017), about five million Malaysians aged between 21 and 39 are eligible to vote. They account for 40% of the total number of voters.

Among them, two million will be voting for the first time.

In other words, their votes are crucial in determining the outcome of the polls.

Although surveys have shown that the majority of these young voters are still likely to vote for the Opposition this time around, it is worth noting that many young Chinese, who were disappointed with the failed attempt by PR to unseat BN in GE13, have given up hope that the government could be changed. Some of them have switched to support the national front.

One thing can be sure: compared with the scenario before GE13, young people are less enthusiastic about elections, as can be seen in the drop in the number of new voters registered post-GE13.

Another phenomenon not to be overlooked is the increasing number of young voters, particularly among the Chinese, looking to spoil their ballots.

Unhappy that their voices have been ignored, these youths do not support BN. Neither is it satisfied with the performance of the Opposition, including its choice of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister.

These young voters regard both BN and Opposition as “rotten apples” and, taking the cue from the online “undi rosak” campaign, will spoil their ballots to show their disappointment.