Press Release
31st August 2012
Complete your electoral registration form
Residents in Shetland will have recently received their annual electoral registration form and are being encouraged to complete and return it promptly.
Electoral Registration Officer for Orkney and Shetland, Mike Forbes, said: “Registering to vote is quick and simple. All you have to do is update the annual electoral registration form with details of everyone who lives in the household and is eligible to vote and return it to us as soon as possible. Although there are no scheduled elections in Scotland in 2013, a by-election could be held at any time. In this circumstance, you need to be registered in order to vote.”
“If you are not included in the Register of Electors, in addition to losing your right to vote, you may experience difficulties in obtaining credit or opening a bank account. The electoral registration form also includes an option for electors to request that their names are excluded from the edited version of the Register which is available for general sale and can be used for any purpose. You can also save money for your council by ensuring that you return this form, avoiding us the expense of having to issue a reminder.”
Households that don’t receive a form, or would like more information, should contact the Electoral Registration Office, Charlotte House, Commercial Road, Lerwick. Tel: 01595 745700 or email: ero@shetland.gov.uk.
Notes
The annual canvass takes place every autumn. An annual canvass form will be sent to every property in Shetland. A revised electoral register will be published on 1 December 2012.
You can only vote if your name appears in the register of electors and you are aged 18 or over on polling day. Any eligible person over the age of 16 can register to vote but must be 18 or over on polling day.
Special provisions to register also apply to members of the UK armed forces serving abroad to allow them to vote. For more information, go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.
There are two versions of the electoral register – the full and edited registers. Only certain people and organisations can have copies of the full register and can only use it for specified reasons. The edited register can be bought by anyone who asks for it and can be used for any purpose, including direct marketing.