1.  VOTER REGISTRATION

  1.1  The Electoral Register at December 2002 showed a total of 1,072,346 people registered as electors compared to 1,204,548 for the previous year. At 3 March 2003 the figure rose to 1,088,947.

2.  SHORTFALL IN REGISTRATION

  2.1  The SDLP believes there is no one factor to explain this shortfall.

  2.2  For example, there are those in the community who do not exercise their right to vote and therefore, on this occasion, did not feel the need, to register as electors.

  2.3  There was a particularly high shortfall in urban areas and this, in some cases, is due to the greater movement of population within those constituencies.

  2.4  When the Poll Tax was introduced into Gt Britain in the 1980s many people did not register to vote for particular reasons. It is possible that those same reasons apply to people in Northern Ireland not registering to vote.

  2.5  It is also understood that there has been a drop in registration at British Army bases in Northern Ireland. Residents on these bases have indicated that they would rather register to vote in constituencies in Great Britain.

  2.6  The direct canvass is the most effective way to ensure that people are registered to vote. Whilst the initial contact is made by the canvasser it would be helpful if there could be direct follow-ups with those who did not register to vote at the initial stage. We recognise that this direct follow-up requires extra resources and these should be made available to the Electoral Office.

  2.7  There are reports that some areas did not receive an initial canvass. Therefore the only contact with the electorate in those areas was via the post. This is not an effective way to get people to register and the Electoral Office need to ensure that they have canvassers for all areas across Northern Ireland.

  2.8  All canvassers should be fully trained before canvassing starts to ensure that they register everyone who is entitled to vote. It appears that some canvassers were not aware that students away from home were entitled to be registered at their home address and that people coming 18 years of age in 2003 should also be registered.

  2.9  The SDLP has met with the Electoral Office in Belfast and are satisfied that the Electoral Office is taking the necessary follow-up steps to ensure that people entitled to vote are given the opportunity to register. We would suggest that the Register is compared to the Census figures to help assess the shortfall.

  2.10  The Electoral Commission's publicity campaign for Electoral Registration via the media: tv, radio, newspaper advertising, billboards has been intense over the past number of months. We trust that this will continue. The electorate need to be made aware through a PR campaign, particularly through TV and radio that they have up to the 10 April 2003 to register to vote for the forthcoming Assembly elections scheduled for 29 May 2003.

  2.11  As registration will now be carried out annually, the Electoral Commission needs to have in place, an annual PR campaign, including, tv, radio, local newspapers advertising, billboards etc.

  2.12  There is concern that those who are registering under the rolling registration system have to appear at a hearing/or have someone appear on their behalf and that additional pieces of identification must be produced at the hearing. We would ask that those registering under this system be treated in the same way at the initial registration process subject to the same checks.

3.  ELECTORAL IDENTITY CARD

  3.1  The SDLP is fully supportive of photographic ID for all elections.

  3.2  The SDLP is satisfied that the Electoral Commission through its publicity campaign has been ensuring that those without the other prescribed forms of photographic ID are aware that they can now obtain the new voter ID card.

  3.3  At the time of registration, over 200,000 people indicated that they required photographic ID. The Electoral Office indicated that they can meet this demand. At the time of writing approximately 35,000 have actually applied for photographic ID, however no cards have been issued.

  3.4  The use of other forms of prescribed photographic ID should also be emphasised in publicity campaigns, particularly the Translink card for Senior Citizens and the PR campaign intensified in the run-up to the Assembly Elections.

  3.5  The introduction of mobile units is a very worthwhile exercise and the Electoral Commission has publicised this widely through local newspapers, etc. The Electoral Office has indicated that they are willing to provide mobile units for the processing of photographic ID, to areas where there is a demand on request from groups or political parties and this is to be welcomed.

  3.6  We believe that the most effective way to publicise the requirement to have photographic ID and the availability of mobile units to obtain the Voter ID card is through an effective PR campaign, particularly TV and radio.

4.  TRAINING FOR PRESIDING OFFICERS AND POLLING AGENTS

  4.1  The Electoral Office has indicated that it will have a training programme for Presiding Officers prior to the Assembly Elections and that there will be a pack for polling agents. A training video is also being produced.

  4.2  The SDLP believes that all officials should be fully trained and have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities at the polling station. In the past, some poll officials have not carried out their duties properly and this has caused great concern. For example, people without the proper ID have been allowed to vote, secondly, people who had their votes taken were not advised that they could have a ballot paper which could be used in the event of a tie situation.

5.  VOTING

  5.1  In Northern Ireland, there are two forms of elections, straight past the post for Westminster and PR for all other elections. This can cause confusion for some of the electorate at the polling stations. The SDLP would favour PR for all elections in Northern Ireland.

  5.2  In PR elections, advertisements at polling stations state: "Vote 1,2,3 in order of choice". Some people think they can only vote 1, 2, 3. In Assembly Elections in Northern Ireland, each constituency has to return 6 candidates, it would be much more beneficial if advertisements stated "vote 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 in order of choice". It is important to emphasise to the electorate that they can vote for as many people as they like on the ballot paper but that six people will be returned for the constituency.

6.  PARTICIPATION IN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

  6.1  The turn out at elections in Northern Ireland is relatively high compared to other countries. As we move to a more normalised society it is important to emphasise to the electorate that they have an important role to play in providing stability and their first contribution is to exercise their right to vote for the parties of their choice.

  6.2  The Northern Irish people have had accountable local government since 1998 and people are satisfied that local politicians will work in their interests on their behalf. It is essential that the level of participation continues and that government puts in place effective measures to ensure that the electorate are given every opportunity to register and to exercise the right to vote.

  6.3  The SDLP has in the past expressed concern to the Committee about registration and voting procedures in Northern Ireland. We welcomed the introduction of a more stringent application and identification process and are confident that, with continued work and a visible PR campaign, it can lead to a more accurate register and secure the right to vote for all our citizens.

March 2003