The public is reminded that the deadline for return of electoral registration forms is next Monday February 1.

Forms have been delivered for all households to complete in a comprehensive annual update of Island’s electoral register.

The annual ‘canvass’ process is in line with the requirements of the Registration of Electors Act 2006, which provides for fines of up to ?1,000 for persons who fail without reasonable excuse to provide the information required.

Residents cannot stand or vote in this year’s House of Keys general election or local authority elections unless they are on the electoral register. Being unregistered can also affect a person’s credit reference history and excludes them from jury service.

Being on the register does not mean that a person has to vote but it is a legal requirement to return the completed form when asked to do so by the Electoral Registration Officer.

Any household that has not yet received a form should get in touch with the Electoral Registration Unit, e-mail voters@gov.im, phone 685754 or visit the website www.gov.im/elections which includes a link for requesting forms. The unit’s full address is Electoral Registration Unit, Crown and Elections, Cabinet Office, Government Office, Bucks Road, Douglas, IM1 3PN.