鳥取とっとり “2馬力ばりき選挙せんきょ”対策たいさくの宣誓せんせい書しょ 県議けんぎ補選ほせん 立候補りっこうほ予定よてい者しゃに説明せつめい

An explanatory meeting was held on the 1st for those planning to run in the by-election for the Tottori Prefectural Assembly Yonago City electoral district, which will be held on the 25th of this month. At the meeting, the prefectural election management committee explained that, as a measure against so-called double candidacy elections, they will require the submission of a written oath stating the purpose is ones own election starting with this election.

The briefing session for prospective candidates for the Tottori Prefectural Assembly by-election in the Yonago City electoral district was attended by representatives from two camps.

In this context, the prefectural election commission official explained that, as a countermeasure against so-called dual-candidate elections, where candidates with no intention of winning support other candidates, the prefecture has decided to require candidates in elections administered by the prefecture to submit a written oath stating that their purpose is to be elected.

This affidavit was independently introduced by the prefectural election management committee and is not a document stipulated by law, but if it is not submitted, the reason will be asked and the election supervisor will use it as a basis for deciding whether to accept the candidacy notification.

Furthermore, the joint election management committee of Tottori and Shimane prefectures has also decided to require the submission of a written oath in the Tottori-Shimane electoral district, which is a merged constituency for this summers House of Councillors election.

Mr. Shotaro Ishimoto, Deputy Director of the Tottori Prefecture Election Administration Commission, said, The written oath is a document in which candidates pledge to abide by the rules of election campaigning, so I would like candidates to fully understand its purpose before submitting it.

Voters and others have expressed concerns about the so-called two-person power election. An 80-year-old man from Yonago City said, Its not just that I felt uncomfortable; if things continue like this, Im worried about Japans democratic system.

As expected, its only natural to compete openly and fairly in elections, he said, emphasizing the need to take countermeasures.

On top of that, they said about the Tottori Prefecture Election Management Committees oath initiative, It would be nice if systems like this spread to other places as well.

A woman in her 40s from Yonago City said, I think elections are for people who have something they want to do to run for office, so it feels strange to see candidates supporting each other.

If I were the one who had to choose, I think I’d have a hard time.

If it is known from the sworn statement that there will be no dual candidacy, it will be easier to choose a candidate.

I think its a good thing to try new initiatives, they said.

Also, a man in his 40s from Yonago City said, Elections are a battleground for individuals, and I dont think its right to run as a candidate just to support someone else.

I think the affidavit serves as an indicator to determine whether a person is not working two jobs, he said.

On the other hand, a man in his 40s from Okayama City who was visiting Yonago City on a trip said, As long as youre running in an election, you have the right to be elected if you get votes, so even if there are two sources of income, as long as its within the law, I dont mind.

I think things like the two-person campaign can serve as an opportunity for voters to think about candidates and politics, especially when its hard for people to pay attention to elections, he said.