National Aldurian Broadcasting Corporation

[Alduria]

ALDURIA PREPARES FOR FIRST GENERAL ELECTION
A new President and a new Parliament to be chosen by the people
Election Commission: "The long lines and ballot access troubles of the referendum will not occur"

PUNTA SANTIAGO, ALDURIA; NABC -- The Election Commission met today to begin preparations for the upcoming general elections in Alduria, to take place in the year 1672 AN.

The Election Commission is reviewing measures to keep voting places open for longer periods, preserve the integrity of the vote, and  expand the voter rolls by reaching out to new immigrants and citizens with voting registration forms.

The voting is expected to take place in one day, likely to be on a Sunday. Both presidential and parliamentary elections shall occur on the same day. For presidential elections, if no one wins a majority of the votes, officials will organize a second vote between the top two candidates. That run-off election would be held two weeks later.

Sources said the Commission is in the final stages of completing its logistical preparations and a detailed polling schedule could be announced as early this weekend or next week.

A senior Election Commission functionary said the Commission is now prepared to announce the dates “any day” and it could happen over the weekend.

The Commission has held several review meetings across the country in last few weeks to gear up its machinery. The required voting machines and paper trail machines are in place to be deployed.

Sources have confirmed that the Election Commission is trying to avoid actively some of the larger problems that marked the ratification referendum for the current Constitution in 1670. "The long lines and ballot access troubles of the referendum will not occur," confirmed a source speaking in anonymity. "There's measures in place to have more polling places, more voting machines, and more personnel in the ground. This election will be well-organized."