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17/01/2012
Voting Registration Changes 'Lack Safeguards'
Changes being made to how the public registers to vote have removed safeguards, according to Labour on Tuesday.
Concern is growing that the Government’s plans to move from the current system of household registration to one that puts the responsibility on the individual will result in many people not being able to vote.
Large numbers of people could be left off the electoral roll and the true number of individuals of voting age in constituencies will not be known.
Responding to the plans, Sadiq Khan, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice said: "Today was an opportunity for all members of the House to debate in a constructive manner how the move to individual electoral registration may have an impact on the numbers of people registered to vote.
"While Labour supports the move to individual registration – and in fact legislated for it in 2009 – we are concerned that the Tory-led Government’s speeded-up plans have removed the safeguards that were in place to prevent any fall in registration levels.
Mr Khan added that many organisations, campaign groups, charities and indeed MPs from all sides were concerned the proposals could lead to millions of people dropping off the electoral register.
(DW)
Concern is growing that the Government’s plans to move from the current system of household registration to one that puts the responsibility on the individual will result in many people not being able to vote.
Large numbers of people could be left off the electoral roll and the true number of individuals of voting age in constituencies will not be known.
Responding to the plans, Sadiq Khan, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice said: "Today was an opportunity for all members of the House to debate in a constructive manner how the move to individual electoral registration may have an impact on the numbers of people registered to vote.
"While Labour supports the move to individual registration – and in fact legislated for it in 2009 – we are concerned that the Tory-led Government’s speeded-up plans have removed the safeguards that were in place to prevent any fall in registration levels.
Mr Khan added that many organisations, campaign groups, charities and indeed MPs from all sides were concerned the proposals could lead to millions of people dropping off the electoral register.
(DW)
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