Quirk could deny voters

THOUSANDS of people who have registered to vote before today’s 2011 electoral register cutoff point may still be barred from the ballot box in the upcoming general election.

Due to a procedural quirk in the system, if the election falls before February 15 next the 2010 electoral register will be used. As a result, any person who has in recent days decided to register may be unable to vote as they will be placed on the 2011 electoral register.

Anyone in this position must also have their names added to the local authority’s supplementary register at least 15 days before the date of the ballot box call to be allowed to vote.