Voting pattern of young people unpredictable — Analyst

GEORGE TOWN: It will be difficult to predict the voting pattern of young people in the 14th general election (GE14) as most of them are not bound by any political sentiments, according to a political analyst.

Universiti Sains Malaysia Social Science Studies Centre lecturer Dr Azmil Tayeb said instead, young people were now more focused on issues which directly and indirectly affected the country’s development.

“It is really difficult to predict the GE14 voting pattern... a former prime minister who had served for 22 years is now (contesting) representing PPBM, PAS is no longer with the Pakatan Harapan and there are sons of a PAS leader contesting for different parties.

“This is an interesting development as it can measure the level of loyalty of voters either they will choose a party or an individual,” he said when met here.

Azmil said in the context of young first-time voters, questions pertaining to employment opportunities, affordable housing as well as cost of living were among the issues that were close to their hearts and needed to be addressed effectively.

Azmil said young people were also more mature and vocal now in expressing their views on the issues they were facing and were not easily influenced by racial sentiments played up by certain parties.

”To me, racial politics is no longer relevant especially for the young people...they are more focused on the bread and butter issues. They (young people) don’t really care who (GE14 candidates), as long as they can deliver or address these issues,” he added.

He said in contrast to the voting pattern of seasoned voters, most of whom were influenced by political sentiments. - Bernama