Q: How many polling stations will be placed in Matupi Township for this election?

A: There are 119 polling stations. Some villages have low populations, but they are located miles away so they won’t be able to vote on time. That’s why we have set three polling stations for each village tract that are far away. There are also village tracts with only one polling station. We have divided the places with the commission’s decision depending on the situation.

Q: What has your commission prepared for the advanced voting?

A: We have set down the 6th and 7th as the dates for giving advanced voting for those who are unable to give votes due to physical conditions or those in jail. That’s how we will carry it out. But, the special police, staff, and police who have been assigned to the rural area have to vote on the 29th, according to the commission.

Q: What will the commission do for the students who living outside [their residential areas]?

A: If they can come back on time…since the time is so close…I can’t say about this. If they don’t come, they will be marked as absent.

Q: Many civil society groups are monitoring this 2015 Election. What kind of equipment has been laid out for the polling stations?

A: Our commission will provide all the equipment provided by the State like ballot boxes, the rooms to cast the ballots, ballots, equipment for the polling station officers to carry out, packing equipment, and uniforms for the polling station officers.

Q: How were the staff appointed for their assignment to the polling stations in Matupi?

A: The State has appointed education staff. As the staff number is not enough, we have appointed the health staff. Also, there is a committee from the ward and village administration that will provide necessary support. They have been appointed.

Q: How many staff have been appointed to take responsibility for the entire Matupi?

A: There are 119 polling stations in Matupi. Ten staff will be assigned to each station so 1,190 staff have been assigned. There will be between four to six education staff depending on the condition of the polling station. Staff from the health [department] will be added as support. If more staff are still needed, the support committee from the ward and village will be added.

Q: How many people have come to check the voter list in Matupi Township?

A: People are coming to check it every day. The list has been sent to us, but we haven’t added them all up yet. Many of them havew come to check it with interest.

Q: There have been errors on the voter lists across the country. Has there been any errors with the voter lists in Matupi Township?

A: Some have amended the incorrect voter list from June 8 to 22. New people have been added. Also, the voter list was released for the second time from September 22 to 27.
It has been re-posted. There are still errors on the list. The time for amending it in cooperation with ward/village commissions is over now. Now is the time for us to check the voter list.

Q: As this voter list was the last one, how will mistakes in the list will be amended?
A: We have to follow the instruction of the commission from above for this.

Q: How would you like to educate the public regarding this voter list?

A: There are many illiterate people in the villages and some of them are likely to take a long time in voting due to confusion. But, I think it will go without a hitch if our township sub-commission can travel to all the rural areas and give training.

Q: What kind of training has the commission conducted for the voters?

A: There are 68 village tracts in Matupi Township. Fifteen township commissions have divided them among themselves and set down the constituency. A commission is in charge of five to ten village tracts. Training has been conducted in some [village tracts]. We will continue to give the trainings.

Q: Has the UEC (Union Election Commission) worked with civil societies to give training?

A: Training courses have been given after reaching agreement with the commission. These include voter education trainings.

Q: What are the current population of Matupi Township and the number of eligible voters?

A: There are over 54,000 people in Matupi and we still don’t know the number of eligible voters in details yet. The basic estimate is around 30,000 voters. There are six political parties and also independent candidates.

Q: What have you prepared for eligible voters from the battalions in Matupi?

A: We haven’t discussed it much yet. But, if they allow the entry of observers except for security reasons, we can have them vote there. Our desire is for them to vote in the wards.

Q: The commission’s chairman has previously said that anyone has the right to enter and observe the battalion. Will these issues run smoothly after negotiating with the battalions?

A: We haven’t negotiated with them yet. There are over 600 eligible voters in the current battalions.

Q: Who will instruct the special police that have been appointed for this election? Will the commission instruct them or will the police instruct them?

A: The central police force will instruct the special police via district and township levels in line with security schemes. We have to supervise the polling stations and ballot boxes. As for security, we will cooperate with the township police force.

Q: What kind of difficulties may arise in transporting the ballot boxes due to bad road and communications?
A: As all the ballot boxes have been sent now so I don’t think there will be that much difficulty. The roads have been paved in all the villages. The township administration has also instructed them to urgently pave the road. So, I don’t think we will face that much difficulty.

Q: What have you prepared for the students who will be attending the University of Distance Education?
A: The date the Union has set for advanced voting is November 6 and 7. However, regarding the commission issue, the police, special police, and polling station staff can start giving them on October 29.