Voters urged not to miss out

Date Added - 05/05/09

Voters in Moray are being urged to ensure that their names are on the electoral register ahead of the elections to the European Parliament in June.

Anyone who misses the Tuesday, May 19 deadline for registration will not be able to vote on Thursday, June 4.

The call comes at the start of Register To Vote Week which is being organised by the Electoral Commission.

"Many people falsely assume that they are automatically on the electoral register just because they pay council tax," said Andy O’Neill, head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland.

"Others forget to tell the electoral registration office that they have moved house.

"We would urge everyone to make sure that they are on the register before the May 19 deadline."

May 19 is also the deadline for those wishing to apply for a postal vote.

Jean Macdonald, from Moray’s electoral registration office, said that registering to vote was simple and straightforward.

"All you need to do is call us on 01343 541203 or download a registration form from www.aboutmyvote.co.ukand send it to 234 High Street, Elgin IV30 1BA," she said..

"The website also has information of the European elections and voter registration."

Moray Council elections officer Alison Johnson said that the method of voting on June 4 was also easy and uncomplicated.

She explained: "All voters need to do is place a single ‘X’ on their ballot paper which will list the political parties and individual candidates standing for election. All that is required is to put one ‘X’ next to the party or individual that you want to vote for."

European parliamentary elections are held every five years and for election purposes Scotland is regarded as a single constituency with an entitlement to six elected members.

All 27 member states of the European Union will go to the polls between June 4 and 7 to elect a total of 736 MEPs.

Further information about the European elections in the Moray area can be found at www.moray.gov.uk/elections