§ 87. Mr. J. Ameryasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what complaints have been received by the British representative in Basutoland regarding registration of voters for the forthcoming ing elections; and what action he is taking.
§ Mr. GreenwoodThe Resident Commissioner in Basutoland has received three complaints.
The first was by the Basutoland Congress Party in July that too long a period was being allowed for registration, that this would delay the elections, and that the Basutoland Government should employ three times the staff which it was employing on registration in order to get through the work sooner.
The second, also from the Basutoland Congress Party, was that 90 per cent. of the Assistant Registration Officers appointed by Government were members of a rival political party.
Enquiries showed that the Basutoland Government were taking all practical steps to complete the preparations for the elections as early as possible, subject to ensuring that the registration of voters was comprehensive and accurate; and further that District Commissioners in appointing Assistant Registration Officers had not given preference to any political party.
The third complaint was that the registers when closed were incomplete.
228WOn investigation the Basutoland Government found that registration had in fact been very heavy in the areas concerned. Nevertheless the period for the inspection of the registration lists was extended by 12 days to allow unregistered persons more time to submit claims to have their names registered.