THE Electoral Commission has agreed to abolish the Out-of-Constituency registration for the first ever synchronised National General Election proposed for April 17, 2024.
This means intending voters must travel to a particular constituency to register themselves as voters.
As we all know the ‘Out-of-Constituency registration’ was done in the 2018.
During that time about 50 Out-of-Constituency registration centres were opened in Honiara and in the provincial headquarters.
SIEC Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Jasper Highwood Anisi told local media a few months ago that for the upcoming election, those who want to register in a particular constituency must travel to that constituency to register.
“If you want to register in a constituency, you will have to travel to the constituency you want to register in to get registered.”
This is a good move because it is no secret that in the past, this Out-of- Constituency registration has opened up the register to fraud, resulting in cross- border registration and multiple registrations.
In the past, there were many voters who despite not being residents of a particular constituency travel to that constituency to vote.
And this has caused grave concerns to the people who actually reside in that constituency.
For the upcoming registration, all intending voters must provide a proof of eligibility before their voter registration application form can be processed.
This means, he or she must provide a birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or a testimony statement by a registered voter in the same constituency.
So, all those who are will turn 18 years old before the next NGE or are residents of a particular constituency must prepare these documents as proof.
For urban centres, intending voters must provide proof such as a receipt of electricity, water, or rental bill to prove their residency or a testimony statement.
It is good to see such tough measures taken by the Electoral Commission.
From 17 July to 26 August this year about120 registration teams will start moving around to conduct registration.
Registration will be done in more than 800 VRCs around the country.
And so, it is important for Solomon Islanders who want to vote as of the 2024 NGE to prepare these important documents to get registered.
