The age limit for MIC Youth members and those holding positions in the movement will be raised from 40 to 45 to enable more people to join the movement, said MIC president S Samy Vellu today.

He said with the extension of the age limit, the MIC would have more people from the younger generation who could provide second echelon leaders.

A committee formed to study the necessary changes to be made to the MIC constitution had prepared its report to be tabled at the 63rd MIC Youth Delegates Conference on Sept 12 for approval.

"This move is important so that the MIC Youth will be prepared to face the 13th general election where more than two million new voters from the younger generation are expected to vote for the first time," he said when opening the simultaneous general assembly of the MIC Wanita, Youth, Puteri and Putera movements.

Although Samy Vellu did not state the rationale for extending the age limit for the MIC Youth, a party official said it was based on the fact that the MIC now had the Putera movement which also targeted the younger generation.

The MIC president also disclosed that the MIC membership application would be widened where those wishing to join the party could apply on-line after discovering that many people who were highly qualified from the younger generation found it difficult to join the party because of several obstacles.

Elections today

He also called on the MIC Youth to set up a think-tank comprising highly qualified people to draw up an effective strategy in tackling several problems faced by the younger generation of Indians, including social issues.

"Youth members can create their own blogs and use the Facebook facility to interact with each other, and at the same time provide information on the activities and achievements of our party," he said.

Delegates from the Youth wing and the Women's wing will also be electing new office bearers today.

The MIC Youth wing will see a straight fight between its coordinator T Mohan, and SP Muthu Veloo, while Wanita chief P Komala Devi will engage in a face-off with her deputy S Thangasvari.

It will also be a straight fight for the MIC Youth number two post between Kahang assemblyman R Vidyananthan and MIC Youth political bureau chief V Mugilan, while the post of Wanita deputy chief will see a battle between Negeri Sembilan Wanita MIC chief Dr P Thanaletchumi and Dr CV Prema of Perak.

A total of 541 MIC Youth delegates and 572 Wanita delegates will vote for their respective leaders in the next three years.

- Bernama