More young people join North's electoral register

The number of young people on the electoral register in the North has increased dramatically, it was revealed today.

The tally has risen from 244 last year to 7,738 and work with schools was responsible for the improvement, chief electoral officer Douglas Bain said.

There has been an unprecedented increase in the number of 17-year-olds signing up.

Mr Bain said: “I am particularly pleased to see the huge increase in the number of younger people now registered.”.

The overall electorate increased in all 18 constituencies by an average of 920 electors. The largest shift was in Foyle with an increase of 1,793 and the smallest was 159 in west Belfast.

The new register reflects over 93,000 changes, with over 31,000 people who were not on the register last year included.

Seamus Magee, Head of the British Electoral Commission’s office in the North, said: “Our research shows that young people are among those least likely to register to vote.

“The recent change in the law, requiring schools to get involved in the electoral registration process, appears to be proving very effective.”