The quarterly update to the Isle of Man’s Electoral Register becomes effective tomorrow, Wednesday 1st July 2015.

The latest figures show the number of people registered increased by 1,302 to a total of 48,580, compared with 47,278 on 1st April 2015.

Awareness of the registration process has been raised this year through a programme of news releases, media interviews, public notices and messages on social media. Residents have been reminded that they cannot vote in House of Keys or Local Authority elections unless they are on the register. Not being registered can also affect a person’s credit reference history and excludes them from jury service.

Changes have been introduced this year with the aim of publishing a more accurate and up-to-date electoral register. This has involved removing entries that were no longer valid – for example, because the household had moved.

Mrs Della Fletcher, Registration Officer, said: ‘The quarterly increase to the electoral register is higher than usual, but in part this reflects the amount of work that has been undertaken to promote awareness of the registration process. It is pleasing to see further recognition of the importance of completing and returning the registration forms. Also, the increase is not so high as to suggest that many thousands of voters were wrongly removed from the register earlier this year.’

For further information on registering to vote or for any other enquiry regarding the electoral process contact the Electoral Registration Unit, Crown and Elections, Cabinet Office, Government Office, Bucks Road, Douglas, IM1 3PN. Email enquiries should be directed to voters@gov.im or call the telephone voters general enquiries on 685754 during office hours (Monday-Friday).