ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, September 24 — Voter registration is rising sharply as Grenada moves closer to its next general election, with the Parliamentary Elections Office reporting increased interest among both young and previously disengaged voters.

Ferdinand Phillip, Voter and Civic Education Officer at the Parliamentary Elections Office, disclosed the development during an appearance on MTV’s Community Forum on  Wednesday night, saying the increase is being seen across different age groups.

“There is interest,” Phillip said. “We have seen a marked uptick in persons going out there to get registered.”

He said the strongest interest continues to come from younger voters, particularly those between 18 and 21, who are reaching the qualifying voting age and seeking to register.

However, Phillip said the increase is not confined to first-time voters.

“We are also seeing a renewed interest in our persons of older voting ages,” he said, describing cases of people who had previously become disengaged from elections but are now returning to the process.

The development comes as political mobilization accelerates ahead of the next general election. Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has recently urged supporters to prepare for an election, including ensuring that people are registered and know their polling divisions.

But Phillip stressed that registration has not yet closed.

“Registration does not close or cease until the writs are issued,” he said emphatically.

According to Phillip, registration remains open until the Governor-General issues the writs for the general election. Until that point, eligible citizens can continue to apply to be registered.

The Elections Office is also urging registered voters to verify their names on the voters’ list before Election Day.

Phillip warned that being registered previously is not enough if a person’s name is not properly reflected on the final list.

“If on election day you go to a polling station and your name is not on that list, you will not be allowed to vote, he said.

The Parliamentary Elections Office’s online system currently provides voters with access to registration information, although it notes that the online listing reflects registration up to the previous quarter.