Many voters yet to enrol

Press, 13 May 1981, Page 11

Many voters yet to enrol

Public booths might be set up to entice voters in the Christchurch Central and Southern Maori electorates to enrol for the General Election. The electorates are two of a handful throughout Nevi Zealand which have been slow to respond to the Post Office’s electoral roll revision programme. Only 18,000 out of an estimated 23,000 eligible voters have enrolled in Christchurch Central. Enrolments in Southern Maori are 4000 short of the estimated total of 20,000.

The other “problem” electorates are in Auckland and Wellington.

Responses have been good from the rest of the Christchurch electorates, particularly those containing big rural areas.

According to the electorate’s {registrar (Mr I. Doug-

las) the transient population living in the middle of the city ,is probably responsible for the slow response to enrolment in Christchurch Central. In an effort to increase response, the Post Office last week distributed circulars to households in Christchurch Central, and letters have been sent to leaders of Polynesian groups, with enclosed handouts printed in Maori.

Mr Douglas is considering setting up public booths at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch Polytechnic, and at two shopping centres in Christchurch Central to encouragd .voters to enrol.

He hopes to get as many voters as possible on the rolls before the next printing in July. The final rolls will come out about one month before the election, which is expected to be held in November.