main content Make sure your vote counts

It is important that everyone eligible ensures they are on the Electoral Register, or they will not be able to vote. With speculation that a possible date for the General Election is 5 May 2005, 11 March is the last date applications to register can be received in order to be effective in time.

First time voters - the last General Election was in June 2001, so there are an estimated 7,000 young people in the constituencies of Beckenham, Bromley and Chislehurst and Orpington who have reached 18 since that date and who are eligible to vote in a national election for the first time. However, they need to make sure they are on the Electoral Register, which was taken last October. If they are away from home, say at university, they can register at home or where they are studying, but obviously are only able to vote once. They can do this by arranging a postal vote, or giving someone else a proxy vote on their behalf.

Moved since the electoral roll was updated in October 2004 - if anyone has changed address within the borough, they will need to re-register at the new address, as they may be within a different parliamentary constituency or need to vote at another polling station. Anyone who has moved into the borough since October will need to register now to vote.

Postal votes - anyone can vote by post. You can ask for a postal vote for an indefinite period or for a one-off postal vote in advance of any election.

Proxy votes - this means you can nominate someone to vote on your behalf.

The Electoral Register can be viewed at Main Enquiries, Bromley Civic Centre between 8.30am to 5.30pm on weekdays, or by calling the Electoral Services Helpline on 020 8313 4364.

ENDS

Contact: 020 8313 4415.