47,000 voters confirmed in register update

Householders have confirmed the details of more than 47,000 eligible voters in a major update of the Island's electoral register.

A new voters list, based on registration forms returned by the March 18 deadline, will come into effect from tomorrow (April 1, 2015). The forms were sent to all households in January.

Electoral Registration Officer Della Fletcher said: 'Having an accurate and reliable register of voters is important for the effective working of the democratic process. It is encouraging that so many people have responded positively to the forms that were issued, and to the publicity that has surrounded this initiative, in order to secure their right to vote.

'The last comprehensive update of the register was in 2006, when 43,000 voters were confirmed. Since then the list had become distorted by a build-up of redundant entries as individuals changed address or left the Island. After the latest update the electoral register is now more accurate and reliable than it has been for almost ten years.'

Residents who missed this opportunity to confirm their details for the electoral register can always do so via the regular quarterly revisions of the register, the next one of which is effective from July 1 this year.

For further information on registering to vote or for any other enquiry regarding the electoral process please contact the Electoral Registration Unit, Crown and Elections, Cabinet Office, Government Office, Bucks Road, Douglas, IM1 3PN. For email enquiries use voters@gov.im or call the telephone voters general enquiries on 685754 during office hours (Monday-Friday).

The electoral register is available for public inspection at: the General Registry, Deemster's Walk, Douglas; offices of local authorities; and the office of the Registration Officer, Cabinet Office, Government Office, Bucks Road, Douglas.