South Choiseul by-elections sets for first quarter of this year

South Choiseul by-election is scheduled to be held during the first quarter of this year.

A confirmed date for the election is yet to be decided as preparations are still in the early stages, Commissioner/Chief electoral officer Jane Waitara confirmed to SIBC news.

“The timeline for the election preparation is scheduled for the first quarter of this year and currently that remains unchanged,” Mrs Waitara said.

The south Choiseul by-election will also see the out of constituency voting system trial for the first time. 

Preparation for the out of constituency voting has doubled the office’s preparation this may affect the by-election timeline to a certain extend Mrs. Waitara said. 

“Legal and administrative preparations for the out of constituency voting system and clearance on the procedures that needs to be done when rolling out the reform needs to be completed before any set date for the by election can be decided,” she said.

Completion of the out of constituency processes will enable the electoral office to draw up the operation and budget plan for the by-election. 

If successful the out of constituency voting system will see the next national general election voters voting for their preferred constituency candidate without having to be present in the constituencies themselves.

by Sharon Nanau