The International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), an election watchdog, has said that a proposal to allow voter registration on polling day would increase the risk of ballot fraud.

Parliament, in its third and final hearing, is expected to consider amendments to the election code on November 22, which, if approved, would, among other changes, allow for voter registration on polling day. 

Although the CEC has been carrying out a re-check of voter lists, it is expected that there will be many inaccuracies, as there is little time left before the early presidential elections scheduled for January 5. Opponents are against registering voters on polling day, fearing voter fraud - what is popularly known as ‘merry-go-round’ voting, whereby an individual casts several ballot in different polling stations.

ISFED said in a statement on November 22 that polling-day voter registration “contradicts international electoral standards… contradicts the recommendations of international organizations and increases the probability of double voting.”