Neath Port Talbot Council’s canvass for the new register of electors to be published in December is now in its final stages.
The electoral registration officer is required, by law, to make every effort to ensure that all eligible people are included in the register. Just under 64,000 dwellings across the county borough will have received registration forms and to date nearly 87% of households (approximately 55,600) have returned them.
Final reminders have recently been despatched to those who have not replied. Around 70 staff will then carry out a door to door canvass in November in a final opportunity to register those who have not responded.
Those who have registered in previous years but fail to respond this year run the risk of having their names deleted from the register of electors.
During spring next year, it is highly likely that a referendum will take place to decide on whether the Welsh Assembly should gain further law making powers. This will be followed by a national referendum asking electors if they wish to change the parliamentary voting system coupled with elections to the Assembly itself. However, only those eligible electors whose names appear in the new electoral roll will be entitled to vote.
Electoral Registration Officer, Steven Phillips, said: “Registering to vote is simple, quick and easy. Just complete the annual canvass form that comes through your letter box, sign it and pop it in the post. It only takes a few minutes to secure your vote for 2011.”
In addition to elections, the register of electors is also used for credit reference purposes, and individuals may find that they are unable to obtain credit facilities if their names are not included in the register.
Those who change address after the publication of the new register can still ask to be included at their new address. Forms for this purpose are available from the electoral registration office or on the council’s web site www.npt.gov.uk/voting.
