Voter re-registration to be available online

The Elections Commission (EC) has made arrangements for online voter re-registration for the upcoming presidential election.

Voters had previously needed to submit paper forms to re-register for presidential elections. However, the election regulations publicized by the EC on Sunday shows voters will be able to apply for re-registration online.

EC is set to hold sessions to familiarize voters with the online re-registration process.

EC had allowed online re-registration in several by-elections, but it marks the first time it is being allowed in a presidential election.

EC’s vice chairman Ismail Habeeb said it was part of the commission’s efforts to digitalize its services.

“People had faced inconvenience due to how the process had been in the past. Digitalization is also part of the Elections Commission’s strategic action plan. This is part of that. We began practicing this during the Covid pandemic,” he said.

Habeeb said the commission is also working on introducing several new rules in submission of election-related complaints.

The election regulations prohibit anti-campaigns against presidential candidates in religious sermons and lectures.

With less than 90 days to the election, the EC has opened the opportunity to send complaints to the register of eligible voters.

The president election will be held on September 9.