Voter Education Is Tied to Registration Method
Voter education requirements for the periodic list applies to a great extent to the initial
development of a continuous voters list as well (see Voter Education ). However, whereas participation in
the periodic list is a one-time activity, and one's nonparticipation should have no bearing on
subsequent registration initiatives, such is not the case for the continuous list. In contrast, the
information attained for the initial registration drive for the continuous list plays an important role
in the longer term success of the register, and thus of the democratic process. This point should be
communicated to potential voters, so that they fully understand the implications of choosing not to
register.
The Mexican experience with a massive voter education campaign during the development of a
continuous list demonstrates the extreme steps that can be taken to ensure the success of the
registration initiative (see Juan Manuel Herrero Alvarez, Mexico: The Electoral Register).
A more modest but highly strategic voter education programme was used in Bangladesh, focussing
on
two television announcements. The first introduced the code of conduct of election officials, and
was intended to emphasize the commitment of such officials to serve the public. The second
served to equate the interests of election authorities, as citizens, with the interests of other
citizens.75
