THE 15th general election (GE15) is the first election in which the youth will make up more than 50% of the electorate.
Over 5.8 million new voters, including 1.2 million aged between 18 and 20, will go to the polls for the first time.
With this in mind, Undi18, in collaboration with Google, has launched the Undi Negaraku website where voters can, in one-stop, educate themselves and learn more about what it means to be an informed voter participating in the democratic process of an election.
The one-stop site aims to prepare first-time and seasoned voters alike for the upcoming GE15. This includes topics such as tackling misinformation, a guide for first-time voters and information on the political coalitions in Malaysia.
Resources to tackle misinformation
The resources provided here aim to help voters with the knowledge needed to help discern misinformation.
This includes learning what to do when a piece of misinformation is identified, and guidance for voters through fact checking methods and tools such as the Google Fact Check Explorer.
Become an educated voter
Additionally, the site also offers information and materials for voters new and experienced to make the most of the voting process, from guides on how to vote on polling day to a deeper dive on the election process and the parties and coalitions involved.
Voters new and experienced can both benefit from information and guides on the voting process via the ‘Become an educated voter’ page.
Get involved
For those interested in taking a more active role in the general election, the website also provides links to two initiatives aimed at supporting the democratic process of voting – Undi Negaraku, a non-partisan youth movement comprising of local youth movements from across Malaysia, and PACA (polling agent / counting agent) that ensures the smooth conduct of the election.
Information on coalitions and parties
The website also serves as a one-stop portal for Malaysians to learn more about the various coalitions that are involved in the general elections, and the parties that make them up.
Voters will be able to glean key information such as a party’s political position, symbol, and manifesto in one helpful place.
“Throughout the election period, from when Parliament dissolves to polling day itself, disinformation campaigns disguised as political messaging can be spread intensely among voters,” said Undi18 co-founder Qyira Yusri.
“This can be damaging to any democracy, and Malaysia is not spared. Everyone should be free to vote based on their own beliefs and not based on misinformation spread with malicious intent.”
Meanwhile, Google Malaysia managing director Marc Woo said with five million first-time voters this year, the team at Google Malaysia wanted to do their part to help pall voters gain access to credible and helpful information.
“Digital first Malaysians will likely turn to online resources for information on the electoral candidates, voting locations and other election related matters,” he elaborated.
“Supporting this effort aligns with our mission to organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.”
Undinegaraku.org will be kept up-to-date with election information as and when it is released up until polling day, and will serve as a permanent home for voter education material beyond GE15 as well. – Nov 14, 2022
Main pic credit: The Edge Markets
