10 Oct 2008
To coincide with Black history month, the Electoral Commission is encouraging people from Britains Black and minority ethnic community to register to vote to make sure they will have their say on decisions that affect them.
Research from the Commission has showed that the UKs Black and minority ethnic community are among of those least likely to be on the electoral register. An estimated 17% are not registered and are missing out on voting at elections.
Now is the time to change this: local authorities are sending out forms for households across Britain to register to vote.
Andrew Scallan, Director of Electoral Administration at the Electoral Commission added:
"It's simple to register: just fill in the form coming through your door from your local electoral registration officer. Add the names of any new members of the household aged 16 or over, and cross out the names of anyone who no longer lives at your address. Then sign the form and return it to your local electoral registration officer.
"Remember, you arent automatically registered just because you pay council tax or if you have registered previously. Registering is the only way to make sure you can have your say, which is why the Electoral Commission is urging everyone to take a few minutes now to secure their vote for the future."
The Commissions experience is that among the reasons citizens from the Black and minority ethnic community give for not registering are confusion about eligibility and residence requirements and perceived language barriers. The Electoral Commission website, www.aboutmyvote.co.uk, provides answers to these, and many other questions, and downloadable registration forms in a variety of languages, including Arabic, French and Urdu.
Clinton Proud, Head of Campaigns and public information at the Electoral Commission said:
"The UKs Black and minority ethnic communities are amongst those groups least likely to be on the electoral register.
"While the next scheduled elections are in 2009 (to some English local authorities and to the European Parliament), remember that a UK Parliamentary general election or a by-election can be called at any time. If you arent on the electoral register, you will miss out on the chance to have your say on polling day as to who represents you.
To find more information about registering to vote, and to download a registration form, go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
Ends/
For further information contact
The Electoral Commission press office on 0207 271 0704
Out of office hours 07789 920414
Email press@electoralcommission.org.uk
Notes to editors
1. The annual canvass takes place between September and November every year. An annual canvass form will be sent to every property by your local council and a new register will be published on 1 December 2008.
2. British, Irish, qualifying Commonwealth and EU citizens who are resident in the UK are eligible to join the electoral register.
3. Although you cannot vote until you are 18, you can be included on the electoral register from the age of 16.
4. Relevant photography available from the Electoral Commission press office.
5. To be on the UK electoral register, you need to be a British, Irish qualifying Commonwealth or EU citizen. A full list of the countries whose citizens can register to vote at UK elections is available here on our about my vote website
