In this House of Councilors election, it was found that the number of polling stations nationwide was more than 46,000, a decrease of more than 1,000 compared to the previous time and three years ago.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is calling for voting by utilizing early voting.
According to the summary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the number of polling stations established on the 10th of this month on the polling day in this House of Councilors election is 46,017 nationwide, which is 1016 compared to the previous time and three years ago. The rate has decreased by more than 2%.
By prefecture, it decreased in 45 prefectures other than Kanagawa and Saitama.
The largest decrease rate was in Akita prefecture, from 807 locations to 691 locations, a decrease of 14.4% from the previous time, and in Shiga prefecture, from 846 locations to 754 locations, 10.9%, and in Ishikawa prefecture, 461. It decreased from 429 locations and 6.9%, ▽ Iwate prefecture from 1033 locations to 964 locations and 6.7%, and ▽ Kagoshima prefecture from 1133 locations to 1059 locations and 6.5%, respectively.
On the other hand, more and more local governments are setting up "common polling stations" where you can vote regardless of where you live, from the previous 8 roads and 45 prefectures to 16 roads and prefectures. The total number has increased to 136.
A common polling place is set up in shopping centers and public facilities, and any inhabitant of the municipality can vote.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is calling for "the population is declining, making it difficult to maintain polling stations such as securing witnesses, and the number of local governments that are consolidating is increasing. I want you to take advantage of various opportunities such as early voting to vote."