Rolls Closing This Month

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30172, 2 July 1963, Page 14

Rolls Closing This Month

(N.Z Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 1. The main rolls for the General Election will close about the end of July. The Minister of Justice (Mr Hanan) said today that every elector who, since April this year, had not filled in a re-enrolment form should do so without further delay and so protect his right to vote.

Whether be was previously enrolled or not, every person who was qualified must complete an enrolment form. The general re-enrolment was occasioned by the latest revision of boundaries which adjusted all electorates to the figures of the 1961 census. Maori electors also were required to re-enrol even

though their boundaries had not been changed. To assist the public to meet their enrolment obligation, registration forms had been posted to all persons previously enrolled, said Mr Hanan but many hundreds of these in each electorate had yet to be returned.

“I appeal to the public to complete these forms and post them now,** Mr Hanan said

An average of 1500 cards in each electorate had been returned “unclaimed" through the Post Office. These belonged to electors who had changed their address since last election and had not notified the changes. They could not now be located by the electoral office and must make their

own arrangements to enrol. This was not difficult because enrolment forms and envelopes for free posting were available at all post offices.

Mr Hanan said that among the thousands who have yet to enrol were those who are now eligible for their first New Zealand vote. These included many new settlers of British nationality who were able to meet the residential requirements. Outnumbering these was that equally important group who had come of age since last election.

“I make a special appeal to these youthful citizens to take this step towards claming their right to vote by enrolling now,’* said Mr Hanan.