03 Feb 2010
The Electoral Commission has launched a campaign to encourage members of the Chinese community in the UK to register to vote ahead of the forthcoming UK Parliamentary general election.
Electoral Commission research shows that 30% of Chinese people resident in the UK are not registered to vote, compared to a UK average of 8-9%. With a general election due by June 2010, the Commission is keen to ensure that anyone who wants to have their say on the issues that affect them every day, is able to: If you’re not registered, you can’t vote.
The unveiling of a new bi-lingual leaflet, specifically written to address the concerns of the Chinese community, was at an event attended by the Chinese members of the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties who are supporting the campaign.
The new leaflet, in traditional Chinese and English, provides information on many aspects of voting in the UK including how to register to vote, what you are voting for, who holds your personal data and how our voting system works.
Jenny Watson, Chair of the Electoral Commission, said: “When we speak with Chinese people, many of them tell us they are not sure how the process works in the UK and they are concerned about who they are giving their personal information to.
“We are now no more than a few months from the General Election, the chance for all of us to have our say on the issues that matter to us. That might be the quality of our children's education, the future of the economy and our businesses, or how much tax we pay. If you are not registered, you won’t be able to vote on polling day.
“We hope that this new leaflet will answer any questions you have and encourage you to take part in the democratic process.”
The new leaflet will be sent out to Chinese community groups and organisations across the country. For more information on registering to vote, go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
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Pictures from this event are available here:
www.electoralcommission.org.uk/news-and-media/media-resources/press-images
The new leaflet can be downloaded here:
www.dopolitics.org.uk/toolbox-index/toolbox2/v-zFor more information
Press office on 020 7271 0704
Outside office hours: 07789 920414
press@electoralcommission.org.uk
Notes to editors:
- 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. The responsibility for running elections and overseeing the count lies with Returning Officers and the Electoral Commission reports afterwards on the administration of General Elections in the UK.
- A General Election can be called at any time, with a minimum of 17 working days between the announcement and polling day. The election must take place by 3 June 2010.
- “Electoral Commission research shows that 30% of Chinese people resident in the UK are not registered to vote, compared to a UK average of 8-9%.” From Understanding electoral registration: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/47252/Undreg-FINAL_18366-13545__E__N__S__W__.pdf
