WIREDGOV

Facebook are supporting the Electoral Commission in reminding voters across Northern Ireland to make sure they are registered to vote ahead of the Assembly election taking place on Thursday 2 March 2017.

A reminder was added to the newsfeed of all Facebook users in Northern Ireland yesterday, Wednesday 1 February, two weeks ahead of the deadline on 14 February, directing them to where they will be able to download the registration form as well as further information on how to make sure they are registered in time.

Ann Watt, Head of the Electoral Commission in Northern Ireland said:

“We don’t want anyone to miss out on taking part in the election on 2 March because they aren’t registered to vote, and working with Facebook is a great opportunity for us to get the message out to lots of people.

“We’d encourage anyone who isn’t currently registered to return their form in good time before the deadline on 14 February. If you don’t, then you won’t be able to take part.”

Theo Lomas, Facebook’s Politics & Government Specialist for the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region said:

“We’re seeing that millions of people are already turning to Facebook to share their views on forthcoming elections.

However, participating in the discussion online isn’t enough to get your opinion counted.  If you’re not registered, you can’t vote. It’s that simple. We hope through supporting the Electoral Commission, we can make sure more people will know how to cast their ballot and have their say.”

Background information

To take part in the elections on 2 March, voters must be registered by the deadline of Tuesday 14 February 2017. In order to register, voters must download a registration form and ensure that it is filled in and returned to the Electoral Office by midnight on the day of the deadline.

The electoral registers in Northern Ireland

The Commission’s most recent report on the Northern Ireland electoral registers, based on the registers in December 2015, found that;

• The local government register was 87% accurate and 79% complete. This is the register used for Northern Ireland Assembly elections.
• Levels of completeness vary across different groups. Examples include:

• Age: younger people are less likely to be registered than older people (71% of 20-24s are registered compared to 87% of 45-54s)
• Length of residence: those who have lived at their address for less than a year are substantially less likely to be registered (10%) than those who have been resident for longer periods (2-5 years, 70%).
• Tenure: homeowners (93%, if owned outright) were found again to be the most likely to be registered with private renters the least (50%).

Information on the 2016 Northern Ireland Assembly election:

• A total of 1,281,595 people were registered to vote in the Northern Ireland Assembly election on 5 May 2016. A total of 703,744 ballot papers were cast.
• Overall turnout at the election was 54.9%, ranging from 64.6% in Fermanagh and South Tyrone to 49.6% in North Down.
• By comparison, turnout at the May 2011 Northern Ireland Assembly election was 55.7%. Turnout at the 2015 UK Parliamentary election in Northern Ireland was 58.5% and at the 2014 European Parliamentary election was 51.8%.
• Anyone who cannot attend a polling station in person on 2 March needs to apply for a postal or proxy vote (also known as an absent vote) by 10 February. Voters in Northern Ireland are required to provide a valid reason as to why they cannot attend their polling station on polling day.

For further information please contact Cahir Hughes on 028 9089 4023 or chughes@electoralcommission.org.uk.

Out of office hours 07789 920 414

Notes to editors

1. The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. We work to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity by:
   • enabling the delivery of free and fair elections and referendums, focussing on the needs of electors and addressing the changing environment to ensure every vote remains secure and accessible
   • regulating political finance – taking proactive steps to increase transparency, ensure compliance and pursue breaches
   • using our expertise to make and advocate for changes to our democracy, aiming to improve fairness, transparency and efficiency
2. Voters in Northern Ireland must download a form to apply to register to vote by visiting the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland website here: http://www.eoni.org.uk/
3. Voters can also find where their local Area Electoral Office is by visiting the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland website here: http://www.eoni.org.uk/
4. To vote in a Northern Ireland Assembly election a person must be registered to vote and also be one of the following: a British, Irish, qualifying Commonwealth or EU citizen living in the UK.