Ahead of the unified local elections in April, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications requested the election administration committees of prefectures to consider increasing the number of polling stations in order to improve voter turnout, and to be cautious about moving up the closing time. Did.
The request was made at a meeting attended by the chairpersons of the election administration committees of prefectures and ordinance-designated cities.
Among them, Genji Mori, director of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, said, "The number of polling stations decreased in last year's House of Councilors election, and about 38% of polling stations advanced their closing times. I understand that, but I would like you to reconsider the importance of securing voting opportunities."
In addition, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications requested that the number of polling stations be increased as much as possible in order to improve voter turnout, and that the closing time be moved forward only in special circumstances.
He also called for early voting stations to be placed in places where people tend to gather, such as train stations and shopping centers.
The first half of the unified local elections will be held on April 9th, and the second half will be held on April 23rd.