It’s the view of the Chief Election Officer that the reason why there was a drop in voter turnout in the 2014 election was because of the law banning BBQs on Election Day.
Uiagalelei Dr. Lealofi Uiagalelei in a presentation for the cabinet said that 6,000 registered voters did not cast ballots in the last election.
KHJ News observes from previous elections that there’s always a drop in voter turnout when there’s no gubernatorial election, just the local House of Representatives and congressional election.
In 2014, there were 16,780 registered voters but only 10,780 cast ballots.
In 2012, 17,769 voters registered while 13,178 or 74% voted.
About the same percentage turned out to vote in 2008, where 12,419 voters went to the polls out of 16,780 who were registered.
At yesterday’s meeting, the cabinet saw the set up of ballot boxes at polling booths in a demonstration by the Election Office.
Uiagalelei assured that there’ll be tight security for this year’s elections and hackers will not be able to penetrate the tight security.
Chief Election Officer Uiagalelei also touched on other election issues such as poll watchers, the time allowed for government employees to cast their votes as well as registration issues.
Governor Lolo Moliga asked that the Chief Election Officer appear on KVZK-TV to present the same information that he gave the cabinet for the public’s understanding.
And also for the benefit of candidates running for office.
He also asked Tapaau Dr. Dan Aga, director of the constitutional review office to help with whatever the Election Office needs assistance with.
