Nation-wide BVR update progresses smoothly

The nation-wide BVR update is progressing well throughout the country according to reports received from provincial registration teams.

The Office of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) in a statement said apart from expected teething problems to be encountered from the start and various complaints emanating from the Out of Constituency Registration Centre at Town Ground in Honiara, the overall process is now progressing really well across the country.

Most of the issues have been rectified; these issues were mainly technological in nature with the kits used and the geographical setting voter registration centres are spread across the country. Issues outside of the SIEC’s mandate should be reported to police if they are illegal.

SIEC encourages eligible registrants who are yet to register to check out newspapers and the Voters Registration Plan section for when registration teams will visit their closest registration centre. The website also has a portal for already registered voters to check and confirm their current details.

“Notices of the movement plans along with the BVR timeline and the current voter lists should also be pinned up at registration centres throughout the country by respective Registration Officers in their constituencies, therefore people who wish to register or update their details should look out for the teams and note the timeline for other important processes of the registration to follow,” the statement said. It is very important for those who have newly registered, those already on the voter list, and those who have registered as transfers to register in their new constituencies to note

SIEC appeals to voters to register in their constituency of residence.

“SIEC cannot stop anyone from registering, but encourages people to register where they are living.”

“If your registration is influenced, you might end up registering in a constituency you are not eligible to register in, hence increases the chance of your name being removed from the voters list if objected to by any eligible registrant during the omission and objection period.”

SIEC reiterate calls for intending candidates to stay out from the registration process and allow it to continue smoothly and not to intimidate eligible registrants.

“The call also goes out to voters to ensure their registration is not influenced.”

The statement also informs all registered voters that have lost their voter ID cards and want to make replacements in this update that this is not possible in this update.

“Card replacements will be dealt with later for those who have lost their cards from 2014 and want it replaced”

The Office of the Solomon Islands Electoral Commission continues to call for cooperation and for people to abide by registration laws and regulations.

“If you notice any activity that you think breaks the law, record it and report it to police.”

The BVR update will continue up until September 27, 2018.

The provisional voters list is expected to be published towards the end of October and the Omission and Objection phase in November. Below are the important voter registration phases and dates to take note of.