Cross-Constituency voter registration in some constituencies in Western Province has raised concerns among registration officials and observers since the process began on September 3.
While the voter registration process is intended to register those who are 18 years and are eligible to vote or those that have not registered before, there were significant movements in past weeks of transfer registration in many constituencies in the West.
For example, in the Ranonga-Simbo constituency, Registration Officer (RO), Gideon Tuke, last week had revealed that more people were transferring to register in other constituencies.
“Yes common is the cross border issue and RANOSI is not exception, more people are moving to other constituencies,” Mr Tuke said.
Registration officers and Observers at voter registration centers (VRCs) in other constituencies such as Gizo-Kolombangara, South New Georgia and Rendova-Tetepari and West New Georgia-Vonavona have also experienced an influx of transfer registrants during the process.
Meanwhile, data compilation for most constituencies in Western Province has reached more than 80 percent towards completion after three weeks of the registration process.
Officials have also confirmed that there were no major security issues surrounding the registration process in most VRCs except concerns over the influx of transfer registrants in some constituencies.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission Office has warned cross-constituency registrants to return and register in their own constituencies before September 27.
A statement from the Commission Office said they are aware of the high number of cross-constituency registrants in some constituencies which has indicated that registrants are moving from their constituencies of origin to other constituencies.
Once verified during the objection and omission period, all cross-constituency registrants will be omitted and they will not be able to vote in next year’s election.
The Commission added that registration in another constituency by giving false information during the registration process is an offence under the new electoral act with severe penalties.
A fine of $50,000.00 or five years imprisonment or both are penalties for providing false information if found guilty.
– Govt Com Unit
