Work to Assign Voters to Polling Stations Progressing

The Solomon Islands Electoral Office is still working on allocation of voters to polling stations, a statement from the Solomon Islands Electoral Office said.

Chief Electoral Officer Mose Saitala said he wants to ensure voters in villages are distributed fairly according to polling stations.

“Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers who are now on the ground have been assigned the task of identifying villages to polling stations nearest to their place of residence,” Mr Saitala said.

He explained that it is important that polling stations are assigned not more than 600 voters.

“Where the number of voters in that area exceeds 600, we would consider establishing another polling station.

“Special consideration will also be made to add another polling station to specific areas where the distance between polling stations is too far from each other” he said.

Mr Saitala said while most of the 856 polling stations used in 2014 would be used once again, the electoral office anticipates that an additional of about 400 polling stations will be established around the country to better facilitate a voter’s access to exercise his or her democratic right to vote.

He said the list of voters assigned to polling stations will be finalised when Returning Officers identify locations and revert to the electoral office.

This is important to ensure the right number of voters attends to a polling station during polling day and for all voters in queues to cast their votes not long after 5pm during polling day.

“Completion of this exercise depends entirely on when Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers complete their reports in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, the Final List of Electors (without polling stations) to be used in the 2019 National General Election is available for political parties and intending candidates”