Lowest voter turnout feared as thousands fail to register

People in the area are being urgently reminded to return their Register of Elector form by tomorrow '“ or else they will lose the right to cast their vote.

Despite a general election on the horizon, the council has yet to receive forms from 20 per cent of households across the district, which is in the region of 14,000 properties. This represents its lowest figure of returned papers.

Forms have been sent out to all homes across the district and the names returned will form the basis of who is eligible to vote in next year's general election and any other election or referendum.

All the forms need to be completed and returned by tomorrow if voters are to have their say at the polls on what matters to them.

Because of the poor response, Arun District Council has been forced to spend more money having additional reminders delivered.

The areas with the lowest response figures is for residents living in Bognor Regis town centre.

Each council is legally required to carry out an annual canvass so the Register of Electors can be updated and republished on December 1, each year.

Liz Futcher, head of democratic services at Arun District Council, said: "We've had a very disappointing response this year '“ worse than usual.

"This has meant the council has had to incur additional costs to administer the process because of the number of reminders needing to be delivered to households and ultimately many will find their names no longer appear on the Register of Electors when it is republished.

"Electors may think that because they haven't moved recently, they don't have to take any action and their name will remain on the register.

"This is not the case. They may think that by paying council tax they will be automatically put on the register. Again, this is not the case."

Ian Sumnall, Arun's chief executive and electoral registration officer, said: "I am extremely disappointed with this poor response and want to encourage everyone to make sure they have registered

"I don't want people to lose their right to vote by not completing this form. This is all the more important this year as a general election in due to be called by June 3, 2010 and you need to be on the register to be able to vote."

Anyone who needs advice on filling in the voting form can call Arun's electoral services team on 01903 737616 or visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

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