APIA: 2 Feb 2010: An 18 member team from the Electoral Commissioner's Office have started a two month registration campaign in Savai'i to register voters ahead of next years general elections.
The Commissioner Tanuvasa Isitolo Lemisio told FetuFM News that the registration started at Saleologa yesterday and will go around Savai'i until the 17th of March. Tanuvasa said that nearly 90 % of the people were registered for the last election in 2006, but he said this number should increase this year.
He said the programme aims to make it easier for all Samoan people who are eligible to vote, to register so they can exercise their democratic rights to cast their votes.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Offices currently housed at the old telephone exchange building at Lalovaea, will be relocated to the old offices of the Land and Titles Court at Mulinu'u. The Electoral Commissioner, Tanuvasa Isitolo Lemisio said that, they don't know when they will be shifting to their new location but it could in a few months time.
Tanuvasa said that he is very happy when he heard that they will use that house, because the staff really need a bigger working space.
The Electoral office is usually cramped for days a few months to the elections, as candidates bring in voters to be registered. After registration, some candidates hold the voters IDs in a bid to influence the way they vote, even though it is illegal.
Tanuvasa said that nominations should be accepted by October or November and the list of candidates is published ahead of the general elections.