ELECTORS HAVE A DUTY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 43, 19 August 1930, Page 8

ELECTORS HAVE A DUTY

A charge has been made, and emphatically denied officially, that the electoral roll for Invercargill was closed hurriedly, and that United Party supporters were given an unfair advantage by prior information of the closing date. We are not much concerned at the charge. After every closely-contested election— whether national or municipal— there are complaints as to the state of the rolls. People who have waited till election day to find out whether they are enrolled or not then make complaint that they have been wrongly deprived of their right to vote. If they prized that right, surely it is not asking too much to expect them to make sure, before the last minute, that they are entitled to exercise it. But there is another aspect of the matter which cannot be overlooked. Registration of electors is now compulsory. Every person entitled to vote must register and must also notify the Registrar of any change of address. If this is not done the negligent person is liable to prosecution. Moreover, it must be done within a certain time. It is not permissible to leave registration until a by-election or General Election is pending. If electors neglect this duty laid upon them by statute, surely they must blame themselves before the Electoral Department if they lose the franchise. Democracy has its' rights and privileges and also its responsibilities. The franchise is extended to every free adult of sound mind, and the steps necessary to secure voting rights are easy and simple. Surely the State cannot be expected to send round an army of officers to put enrolment forms in the hands of the adults of the community, and hold their hands while they sign! It may be worth while for the Electoral Department to investigate the complaints of deprivation of voting rights now being made in Invercargill, and see how many of those complaining have rendered themselves liable to prosecution for breach of the compulsory registration law.