Defer poll but only for good reasons, says Sir Matiabe

By ADRIAN MATHIAS FENENG
THE deferral of election can only be constitutional if it has good reasons, Sir Matiabe Yuwi said.
Sir Matiabe said if the electoral commission was not ready with the common roll updates in some parts of the country as claimed by the government, then it would make sense to defer the election by two or three months.
“As a leader from the Highlands region, I would like to tell the nation that the common roll update is not complete and for the common people of this nation to exercise their democratic right, they must be registered to exercise this right,” he said.
He said if the electoral commission felt that it was not ready then it must not push for the election.
Sir Matiabe said the commission must work closely with the government to ensure that every eligible voter was registered.
“Make every eligible voters of this nation registered because it is their constitutional right to vote for their leaders after every five years,’’ he said.
“I feel that the electoral commission must be a responsible partner with the government to make sure everyone is pro­perly in the rolls.”