The group is seeking a declaration by the High Court that delaying implementation of the Undi18 Act is illegal and akin to voter suppression. It said that those aged between 18 and 20 years have a legitimate expectation that they will be granted the right to vote by July.

It wants the court to compel the government to lower the voting age before July, regardless of automatic voter registration.

In a statement, the group said the AGC is objecting to Undi18’s judicial review leave application on grounds that all necessary laws and regulations need to be amended first before the lowering of the voting age can be implemented.

“The AGC alleges that our application ‘is against the spirit of the Constitutional amendment whereby all necessary laws and regulations need to be amended before the automatic voter registration (AVR) can be enforced.’”

The group said the AGC’s stance was counter-intuitive and should not be used to delay the implementation of the lower voting age.

“Undi18 maintains that the implementation of the amendment to Article 119(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution must be done first.

“The Undi18 Bill covers the amendments to Article 119 of the Federal Constitution as set out in the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2019.

“Section 3(a) of the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2019 seeks to lower the voting age from 21 years old to 18 years old, whereas Section 3(b) removes any legal obstacles for implementing AVR.

“Undi18 asserts that there is no hurdle to implementing Section 3(a), and that youths aged 18 to 20 years can register in a current manner without the need for AVR.”

The High Court had heard the submissions from parties and fixed June 17 to deliver its decision on whether to grant leave to Undi18 to commence with the legal action.