Big re-enrolment task begins

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32895, 19 April 1972, Page 18

Big re-enrolment task begins

The Registrar of Electors (Mr R. A. Aitken) has begun the mammoth task of reenrolling 150,000 electors in the Christchurch electorates and enrolling all those who have turned 20 and are not yet enrolled.

Mr Aitken said his office had already sent out 140,000 enrolment cards to those already on the rolls and a further 10,000 would be sent out very soon.

Because of boundary changes, though very minor in most electorates in his district, Mr Aitken has to reenrol everyone. The nine electorates concerned are Avon, Christchurch Central, Lyttelton, Papanui, Riccarton, St Albans, Sydenham, Wigram and Rakaia. Provided the election is held at the end of November, the main rolls will close about the end of July. Mr Aitken says that if electors carry out their usual practice the re-enrolment cards will be returned very promptly. THOSE ELIGIBLE Although it is not compulsory to vote, it is compulsory for everyone eligible to vote to be on the rolls. Persons who have attained the age of 20, are British subjects, have resided in New Zealand for one year and in one electoral district for three months, are entitled to vote. After electors have filled in and returned the enrol-

ment cards, the registrar will send out cards advising electors which electorate they are in. People who have never been on the rolls may obtain enrolment forms from any post office or the Registrar’s office. Voters on the Maori rolls should complete a special green enrolment form.