06 Oct 2008
Thousands of students from across Northern Ireland returning to college this month are being urged to protect their right to vote by filling in an online electoral registration form at aboutmyvote.co.uk and sending it to the Electoral Office for processing. The Electoral Commissions new-look website is being launched today at Queens University Belfast.
Séamus Magee, Head of the Electoral Commissions Office in Northern Ireland, joined student leaders Ciaran Helferty from Queens University Belfast and Nora Duncan from the University of Ulster to help get the message across.
According to Séamus: Every student can have a say on how Northern Ireland is governed, so Im appealing to those who may not be registered to vote to check out aboutmyvote.co.uk and make sure their name appears on the new register being published later this year. At the moment one in three Northern Ireland students aged between 18 and 24 are denying themselves a voice because of their failure to join the electoral register.
Recent research published by the Electoral Commission found that inclusion on the electoral register is lower among younger age groups in Northern Ireland, in particular those aged between 18 and 24, with an estimated 34 percent failing to provide their details. This was in sharp contrast to older people located in the area where only four percent aged 65 and over were not included.
Ciaran Helferty, Students Union President at Queens University Belfast, said: We were very keen to get behind this campaign. Weve got thousands of potential voters right here on campus that we need to get registered.
Nora Duncan, President of University of Ulster Students Union, added: With a devolved government now firmly in place, there really never has been a better time for students to make their voices heard. Local politics affects all of us in our everyday lives but if you've not registered you won't be able to vote and have a say on the issues which directly affect you.
Séamus concluded: In reality, an election can be called at any time, so its wise to be ready. Northern Irelands student population is one of the most under-represented on the electoral register. Would-be voters who are not registered should click on to aboutmyvote.co.uk to obtain a registration form.
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For more information contact:
David Cullen or Chris Brown on 028 90 347 319
Email electoralcommission@webershandwick.com
Out of office hours and on weekends, please call 07770 886 927 / 911.
Notes to editors
1. The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up by the UK Parliament. Its aim is integrity and public confidence in the UKs democratic process. It regulates party and election finance and set standards for well-run elections
2. A corporate objective of the Commission is complete and accurate electoral registers, supported by a well-run electoral registration
3. The report, Electoral Registration in Northern Ireland: Accuracy and Comprehensiveness, can be downloaded from www.electoralcommission.org.uk/northern-ireland
4. Full details on how to register to vote are available on www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
