The deadline for returning completed voter electoral registration forms is less than a month away.
 
Residents are reminded that it is a legal requirement to return the completed form by the deadline of 18 March 2015. 
 
Registration is essential to be eligible to vote in House of Keys and local authority elections and stand for jury service.  A person’s credit rating when applying for a loan, credit card, phone contract or mortgage can be negatively affected by not being on the Electoral Register.
 
If forms are not completed and returned, names will be removed from the new register published on 1 April 2015, to ensure the accuracy of the Island’s electoral register.
 
Household registration forms have been sent to every property on the Island and there has been an excellent response with over 60% of forms returned so far.
 
A spokesperson from the Cabinet Office’s Electoral Registration Unit said:

“It is a legal requirement to return the form.  If you have received a household registration form, I urge you to complete and return it.  If you have not yet received a form please contact us to request one.”
 
A significant number of forms have been received indicating that the addressee has gone away or changed address.  It is important to notify the Electoral Registration Unit when you move or for any change to the occupation of the household, including if the property becomes empty.
 
The register is updated regularly so that eligible electors can make changes to their details whenever necessary, without needing to wait to receive a form annually.
 
For further information on registering to vote and for any other enquiry regarding the electoral process please contact the Electoral Registration Unit by telephone on 685754 or by emailing voters@gov.im.