Roll For Otaki Electorate Increases Greatly

Chronicle (Levin), 8 November 1949, Page 4

Roll For Otaki Electorate Increases Greatly

• With the closing of the supplementary roll yesterday, a large increase in the size . of the roll for the Otaki electorate is apparent. Compared with 14,796, the roll total in 1946, this year's total has been estimated at 18,000, an increase of over 2000. The largest electorate in the Wellington district is Onslow with an estimated roll of 18,500. It is most probable that when the final totals have been compiled the Otaki electorate will be the second largest. The big rise in the Otaki roll is largely due to the extensive residential expansion which has taken place in the southern section of the electorate. The supplementary roll on this occasion is much smaller than at previous elections, probably because most people made certain that their names were on the roll for the various referenda hel'd since the last election. Election Writ Issued. The writ for the general election was issued yesterday, flxing Wednesday, November 30 as the date of the poll.

uaie ior receipi, oi iioumia,i/iuiu& was announced as Wednesday, November 16. The nominations must be accompanied by the usual deposit of £10, to be forfeited if the candidate does not • poll a quarter of the total of the votes of the winning candidate. The Electoral Office advises that, although the rolls have now "closed, those who qualify after the closing and are not already registered for another district may enrol up to the day before election day and can vote by declaration. This applies to people coming of age and to- others acquiring voting status, for the first tirne, after the closing of the roll, such as immigrants. Maoris who are not enrolled, may vote by the declaration method as at previous elections. People exercising postal votes may do so from now until the close of the poll at 7 p.m. on November 30. Postal votes are available to travellers who will be out of the country on polling day but who retain voting rights, and to sick persons and certain other groups. Postal votes may be exercised immediately if the elector knows for whom he wishes to vote.