Voter registration drive starts today

JAKARTA (JP): The government will launch a voter registration drive starting today by sending officers to knock on every door throughout the nation.

"I appeal to everyone to meet with the registration officers and to give accurate information," Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M., who also heads the National Election Institute, said in a nationwide broadcast last night.

The registration drive will last 20 days. Officers will be asking for information about potential voters, ranging from name, age, sex and job. The minimum voting age for single people is 17, but younger married teenagers are eligible.

Yogie said people intending to run in the elections must also register as voters.

The general election is scheduled to take place in June next year. Voters will elect members of the House of Representatives, as well as members of their respective local legislatures.

Although voting is not obligatory by law, the government has made a point of encouraging everyone to use their voting right in the name of democracy.

"Everyone must be registered with no exception," Yogie said, adding that the officers will make a second house call if the first one fails. As a last resort, household members who are not at home when the registration officials visit will be asked to report to the village chief's office to be registered.

Migrant workers will be asked to register where they currently reside and will not need to go to their home villages to do so.

Provisional registration lists will be issued on June 1 and people are advised to check that their names are included and are spelled correctly. The lists will be finalized between June 21 and July 5. (01/emb)