The National Electoral Commission (CNE) has banned the drawing up of lists of voters queuing for registration, defining the voters with priority in attendance, according to a resolution published yesterday in the Boletim da República.

"The reception and special attendance of lists of organized groups outside the queue at the voter registration office is prohibited," the resolution states, reflecting the discussion generated around the issue during registration for the October 11 local elections. The electoral body states that "there is a need to establish rules for priority service".

According to the rule released, priority in the electoral registration queue must be given to police officers responsible for the protection and security of registration offices, the sick, people with disabilities, pregnant women, the elderly, medical and paramedical staff, as well as duly accredited employees of electoral administration bodies.

The CNE mandates the Technical Secretariat for Electoral Administration (STAE) to comply with this directive. (News online)