Preparations for General Election already underway in North East Lincolnshire

Electoral registration forms have recently been sent to homes in North East Lincs

Although the General Election has yet to be called, council officials in North East Lincolnshire are already working hard to make sure that all eligible residents can vote on polling day.

The Electoral Registration Officer and his staff have sent forms to households in North East Lincolnshire this week so that a new electoral register can be compiled in time for next year’s elections, including the council elections in May.

Tony Hunter, Electoral Registration Officer for North East Lincolnshire, said:

“It’s simple to register – look out for the form that will be coming through your letter box over the coming weeks, and you’ll be able to help choose the people that make the decisions which affect your everyday life.”

If there are no changes to the details on the form, residents can confirm this using the special freephone, internet and text messaging service.

It takes just minutes to confirm your details, and the use of these electronic services saves the council money. Full instructions will be on the form for your household, together with its own unique security codes. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The freephone telephone service is also available in five other languages.

Residents who need to make changes to their details must complete the form and return it by post to the council offices.

For some people, this may be the first General Election that they get to take part in and may not be clear about what to do. You can find out more by calling either of these three numbers: (01472) 324161, (01472) 324118, or (01472) 324160, or you can visit the Electoral Commission’s website at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

Karen Quaintmere, Head of Electoral Administration for the Electoral Commission, said: “There’s a General Election coming between now and June 2010 and local elections in England on 6 May 2010. If you’re not registered to vote, then you can’t make a decision about who represents you in Westminster and on your local council. Secure your voice on the issue that matter to you now: it only takes a few minutes.”