main content Electoral Registration Form is not junk mail

Bromley residents are being urged to look out for electoral registration forms that will be dropping through their letterboxes in the next few weeks. More than 133,999 forms are being delivered, and everyone needs to register where they will be living on 15 October 2006, including those who will be 18 before 30 November 2007.

If the registration form is not returned residents could:

• be unable to vote (although there are no planned elections within the next year, General and By-elections can be called at any time, with only 6 weeks notice.)
• make themselves liable for a fine up to £1,000
• once prosecuted, obtain a criminal record
• have great difficulty in obtaining credit. Most credit companies inspect the Register before deciding whether or not to grant credit. Those not registered are most unlikely to obtain credit.

Carol Ling, Head of Electoral Services, said: “There is a legal requirement to provide this information, and last year 97.01% of forms were returned. To-date we have not prosecuted offenders, but we may consider doing so. Of course we wish to avoid such measures by encouraging all householders to respond.”

Forms are generally hand-delivered by canvassers between 19 August -10 September, and they will then return to each property up to 3 times to collect them. After this, a pre-paid envelope is left at any remaining properties. A further reminder is posted to all non-responders in late October. All information is then compiled in the Electoral Register, to be published on 1 December 2006.

Contact 020 8313 4364 or email electoral@bromley.gov.uk for further details.

ENDS

Note to Editors:

To be eligible to have your name included on the Electoral Register, you need to be:

• over 16 (although you cannot vote until your 18th birthday);
• a British, Irish or other Commonwealth citizen;
• a citizen of a European Union member state

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact 020 8313 4391, or email ann.clay@bromley.gov.uk
Further information is available at www.bromley.gov.uk