A billboard advertisement of the registration exercise. Photo: SIBC.
Certain communities in Makira-Ulawa Province are refusing to register to vote after hearing rumors that the new biometric voters registration system will be used by the 6-6-6, or the Anti-Christ.
A Provincial Assembly Member in Makira-Ulawa Province says poor awareness coverage prior to registrations in Makira Ulawa province has allowed the rumor to be widespread, and certain communities are reluctant to register to vote.
Martin Karani, Ward Member for North Star Harbour told SIBC News said this has caused a very low registration turn out at certain VRC’s usually identified with registering higher numbers of voters.
“The counter awareness promotes the idea that the registration system would be used by the triple six anti-Christ number. So because of that like for example in ward 12 at the first polling station, Rama’a and as far as Wainoni, the day before yesterday an A-R-O has to seek police assistance at Kirakira because people are not coming out to register because of fearing the system I’ve mentioned.”
The North Star Habor MPA also said another case involves an Assistant Registration Officer who refused to register a boat load of people.
Mr Karani calls on the Electoral Office to quickly address such cases to ensure a clean and fair electorate list this year.
