Almost 3,000 voters in East Derry are about to lose their right to influence future elections if they don’t contact the Electoral Office and demand the right to have their names on the Electoral Register.
The figures were released by the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland and relate to the electors in each ward that are going to be removed from the register as they did not return a form during the 2013 canvass and did not respond to recent correspondence asking them to register.
In East Derry 2,905 voters will be removed from the Electoral Register while in Mid-Ulster 3,410 people will be affected. In the Foyle ward, 5,223 people will be left off the Register.
SDLP Councillor Roisin Loftus has expressed shock that such a large number of people could be missing when the new register is published.
She said: “Those who have failed to register should be aware of the old adage bad politicians are elected by good people who don't vote. This is as true today as ever and perhaps more so.
“I would urge everyone to check with the electoral office if they have the right to vote and I appeal, in particular, to young people who will be becoming eligible for the first time to play a part in electing our public representatives.”
“It is also important that people who are on the electoral register but need permanent postal votes through ill health apply for these now and do not leave it until an election is called.”
In conclusion she said: “I would ask everyone to check now and contact the Electoral Office on their helpline number 08004320712 immediately to claim their right to vote in the future.”
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