Parties, officials urged to ensure voter independence

POLITICAL parties, supporters and scrutineers must ensure that people are allowed to vote without fear or favour, says Electoral Commissioner Patilias Gamato, pictured.
During the launching of the Ombudsman Commission pre-election awareness programme yesterday, he said polling stations were where intimidation and violence took place.
“This is a very important initiative to go out and conduct awareness, especially to our voters who will be deciding which candidate to elect,” Gamato said.
“Often, our people are lured to make choices. They are lured in different ways and forms but it’s important for us to encourage people (to vote).
“The election is not just the Electoral Commission’s business.
“It’s everybody’s business, including government agencies, provincial governments, administrations and leaders.
“I’m hoping that across the country come election time, we will behave properly in a civilised manner.
“So that people can cast their vote independently.” Gamato said there would be an increase in the number of registered voters this year.
In the 2012 general election, there were about 4.8 million registered voters but only 3.7 million people cast their votes.
“We release the claim for enrolment forms out to register people,” Gamato said.
“We released about 750,000 forms.
“This is calculated based on 3 per cent population growth rate every year for the last five years.
“We will be expecting about 5.2 million registered eligible voters.”