Republican News · Thursday 30 January 2003

Sinn Féin says claim your vote

Sinn Féin Councillors Eoin Ó Broin and Michael Ferguson are pictured outside the Electoral Office on Wednesday morning

Sinn Féin's Mitchel McLaughlin has welcomed what he termed the recognition by the electoral office of the shortcomings in the registration process, which has left almost 200,000 people without a vote.

speaking after meeting the Chief Electoral officer, Denis Stanley, last week, the Sinn Féin national chair said: "The Electoral Office recognises that there is a problem with voter registration and nearly 200,000 people are missing off the register and I welcome commitments on a £500,000 advertising campaign urging people to secure their vote."

Sinn Féin's Director of Elections, Danny Power, has called on anyone who may not be registered to vote to contact the Electoral Office immediately.

"Voters can get the electoral officer to check the register there and then to see if their name is listed," he said. "If not, they can ask for a registration form to be forwarded to the person's home.

"If anyone needs assistance or advice, they should contact any Sinn Féin office and staff there will be happy to help."