28 March 2017
Preparation is underway to update the Register of Electors for St Helena. Whilst this is an annual process, members of the public are reminded that this year’s Register will be used for the General Election that will take place in July 2017.
Eligible persons are therefore encouraged to make application to add their names or amend any details in the current Register, dated 1 July 2016.
Currently, persons eligible to be registered must:
- Be over the age of 18 years with St Helena as their ordinary place of residence
- Have St Helenian status or be the spouse or life partner of a person who has such status
There are some exceptions, such as mental incapacity or if someone is serving a prison sentence of 12 months or more.
The Provisional Register of Electors will be issued on Monday, 8 May 2017. This will be followed by a 14 day period during which applications can be made to make final amendments to the Register before it is published to come into effect on 1 July 2017.
The public is advised that a Bill will go to formal Legislative Council in May to amend the Elections legislation to allow 17 year olds to add their names to the Register thus enabling them to vote in the General Election. Further publicity will be given nearer the time.
In the meantime, applications to amend the current Register must be submitted to the Registration Officer, Gillian Francis, by no later than 4pm on Wednesday, 26 April 2017 to enable the Provisional Register to be published on 8 May 2017.
Application forms are available from Assistant Registration Officers and also on the SHG website: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/forms/
Further information about registering and making amendments may be obtained from Registration Officer, Gillian Francis, via email gillian.francis@sainthelena.gov.sh or Assistant Registration Officers, Carol George via e-mail carol.george@sainthelena.gov.sh and Anita Legg via e-mail sec.em@helanta.co.sh.
The current Register dated 1 July 2016 is available for inspection at the Office of the Registration Officer in the Castle, the Customer Service Centre, the Public Library, ANRD Offices at Scotland, all rural sub-Post Offices, and on the SHG website. Copies are also held by Assistant Registration Officers and the Administrator’s Office on Ascension Island.
Remember, if your name is not on the Register of Electors you will not be able to stand or vote in the upcoming General Election.
Posters highlighting the process for getting on the Register will soon be displayed in various outlets around the Island. A dedicated Facebook page and Twitter account has also been set up for this year’s General Election – follow us via the details below for all the latest news.
#StHelena #GeneralElection2017 #GetRegistered #YourFutureYourResponsibility
https://www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
https://www.facebook.com/STHGE2017/
https://twitter.com/StHelenaGovt
https://twitter.com/STHGenElect17
SHG
28 March 2017