The Electoral Commission, the independent elections watchdog, and the Ministry of Defence have launched a joint campaign to encourage service personnel to make sure they’re registered and able to vote in the next General Election.
Launching the advertising campaign, Jenny Watson, Chair of the Electoral Commission warned service personnel not to lose the opportunity to have their voice heard:
“The next General Election could be called at any time between now and June 2010. If you’re serving overseas between now and then, the best way to make sure your vote is counted is to apply for a proxy vote. That means you can ask someone you trust back home, who is also eligible to vote, to vote on your behalf.
“So why not choose that person now? That way, you’re prepared for the election- whatever the date.
“Or you can register to vote by post. But the tight timescale and logistical challenges involved in getting a ballot paper to you and back home again may make this an unrealistic option.
“You put your lives on the line for our country. So make sure you have a vote on election day.”
MoD research has shown that 35% of service personnel are not registered to vote. Information about registering to vote, including how to apply for a proxy or postal vote, and a downloadable registration form can be found at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/armedforces
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For further information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Electoral Commission Press office: 0207 271 0704
Fax: 020 7271 0528
press@electoralcommission.org.uk
Notes to editors
1 The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. Our aim is integrity and public confidence in the UK’s democratic process. We regulate party and election finance and set standards for well-run elections.
2 A UK Parliamentary general election must take place by 4 June 2010.
3 Prior to 2000, service personnel had to register as service voters. The Representation of the People Act 2000 allowed members of the services either to register as service voters or to register in the same way as non-service personnel. Since 1 January 2007, as a result of the Electoral Administration Act, people registering as Service voters will only have to register every three years rather than every year.
4 Service personnel based in the UK can register in the same way as ordinary electors by filling in and returning the annual canvass form that will be coming through your door, while those who are based, or likely to be posted, abroad are advised to register as ‘Service Voters’.
5 The Defence Analytical Services Agency Service voting survey 2008 showed that 35% of service personnel surveyed were not registered to vote.
