The NEC has completed voter registration for next year’s 5th Legislative Senate Election. Voter registration began on October 18 and concluded on November 14. 

“The NEC has received most of the lists from commune halls and the National Assembly, and our review is nearing completion,” said Som Sorida, NEC deputy secretary-general and spokesman.

He explained that the Senate election is a non-universal election with just two voting blocs: the lawmakers from the National Assembly and commune council members. Ordinary citizens are not qualified to vote for senators.

The NEC has already checked the lists the capitals and 19 provinces, with five provinces remaining.

Once all 1,652 commune lists have been checked – along with the one from the National Assembly General Secretariat – the final list will be compiled. The first voter list will be posted on January 5 next year.

Sorida added that the first posted list would give eligible voters the opportunity to raise any objections or ask for corrections.

An NEC statement said the voter registration process was carried out according to the stated NEC calendar, and that no complaints or objections had been received. Once the process is complete, lists will be posted at the Secretariat in the Capital and at the Provincial Election Commissions.

It added that the initial complaints should be resolved at the level of the Capital and Provincial Election Commission (PEC), but may be finalised through the Constitutional Council. 

For the upcoming 5th legislature Senate election, the constituencies will be divided into 8 zones with a total of 58 seats. In addition, two senators will be appointed by the King and the National Assembly will vote on a further two.

The election has been set for Sunday, February 25, 2024.