25.11.04
Irelandclick.com
Missing 25,000 voters
The Andersonstown News can reveal that up to 25,000 voters could be shaved off the latest West Belfast electoral register due for publication next Wednesday.
The finding comes after the Chief Electoral Officer Denis Stanley wrote to West Belfast MP, Gerry Adams, in response to a letter from the Sinn Féin President inquiring into voter registration in his constituency.
“Reminder letters and registration forms were sent in early November to a total of 12,658 individuals in Belfast West whose names appeared on 1 September Register but had failed to return completed forms by 19 October,” wrote Denis Stanley. “Blank registration forms were also sent to a further 5,249 homes where there were no electors registered at 1 September.”
With the new electoral register scheduled for publication next Wednesday the Andersonstown News has learned that a massive registration campaign – spearheaded by key community activists – is already gearing up for action.
The news comes amid speculation that the British government is planning to change the registration laws in order to address widespread concerns about the shortfall in the electoral register.
DISENFRANCHISED
The Andersonstown News has learned that up to 25,000 voters could be shaved off the new electoral register for West Belfast which is due to be published next Wednesday (December 2).
The astonishing revelations are contained in a letter written by the Chief Electoral Officer Denis Stanley and sent to West Belfast MP Gerry Adams last week.
News of the potential shortfall comes amidst media reports that the British government is considering changes to the electoral registration process following widespread concerns over the drop in the voting register.
That drop – disenfranchising tens of thousands of voters – was provoked by new registration policies and restrictive ID methods introduced as part of the Electoral Fraud Act.
In his letter, dated November 13, Denis Stanley stated that, “reminder letters and registration forms were sent in early November to a total of 12,658 individuals in Belfast West whose names appeared on 1 September Register but had failed to return completed forms by 19 October.
“Blank registration forms were also sent to a further 5,249 homes where there were no electors registered at 1 September.
“During the course of this year’s annual canvass, query letters have been sent to 2,166 electors who had returned incomplete or incorrectly completed forms.
“Of these 438 queries remained outstanding on Monday 15 November,” wrote Denis Stanley.
When the figures are totalled for both individuals and households, seasoned electoral observers calculate a possible shortfall in the West Belfast register of 25,000 voters.
Expressing anger at the revelations, local Sinn Féin Councillor Gerard O’Neill – who also experienced trouble with his electoral registration form last month – said the figures “quite clearly demonstrate that a problem exists in relation to the registration of people in working-class areas of high deprivation, particularly in terms of the resources given to an area like West Belfast”.
“I am very angry and concerned about these revelations. The Electoral Office has a responsibility to ensure the maximum number of people is assisted to secure their democratic franchise, but if this success rate related to a commercial business – it would fold.
“The Electoral Office has failed and very serious questions are now being asked about the manner in which the process of registration is being managed.
“I experienced basic problems with my form last month when I was told it hadn’t arrived even though I had sent it in, but because I am a councillor, I was able to take the matter up publicly. How many other residents in West Belfast are going to be faced with a similar disenfranchisement but won’t be able to pursue the matter the way I did?” asked Councillor O’Neill.
Since the 2001 Westminster election, the electoral register for West Belfast has already dropped by over 12,000 voters.
Next week’s fresh register is expected to confirm that negative and dramatic trend. In anticipation of that likelihood, key community activists are already gearing up for a massive registration campaign throughout the constituency.
• Read next Thursday’s Andersonstown News for more details
Journalist:: Jarlath Kearney
Missing 25,000 voters
The Andersonstown News can reveal that up to 25,000 voters could be shaved off the latest West Belfast electoral register due for publication next Wednesday.
The finding comes after the Chief Electoral Officer Denis Stanley wrote to West Belfast MP, Gerry Adams, in response to a letter from the Sinn Féin President inquiring into voter registration in his constituency.
“Reminder letters and registration forms were sent in early November to a total of 12,658 individuals in Belfast West whose names appeared on 1 September Register but had failed to return completed forms by 19 October,” wrote Denis Stanley. “Blank registration forms were also sent to a further 5,249 homes where there were no electors registered at 1 September.”
With the new electoral register scheduled for publication next Wednesday the Andersonstown News has learned that a massive registration campaign – spearheaded by key community activists – is already gearing up for action.
The news comes amid speculation that the British government is planning to change the registration laws in order to address widespread concerns about the shortfall in the electoral register.
DISENFRANCHISED
The Andersonstown News has learned that up to 25,000 voters could be shaved off the new electoral register for West Belfast which is due to be published next Wednesday (December 2).
The astonishing revelations are contained in a letter written by the Chief Electoral Officer Denis Stanley and sent to West Belfast MP Gerry Adams last week.
News of the potential shortfall comes amidst media reports that the British government is considering changes to the electoral registration process following widespread concerns over the drop in the voting register.
That drop – disenfranchising tens of thousands of voters – was provoked by new registration policies and restrictive ID methods introduced as part of the Electoral Fraud Act.
In his letter, dated November 13, Denis Stanley stated that, “reminder letters and registration forms were sent in early November to a total of 12,658 individuals in Belfast West whose names appeared on 1 September Register but had failed to return completed forms by 19 October.
“Blank registration forms were also sent to a further 5,249 homes where there were no electors registered at 1 September.
“During the course of this year’s annual canvass, query letters have been sent to 2,166 electors who had returned incomplete or incorrectly completed forms.
“Of these 438 queries remained outstanding on Monday 15 November,” wrote Denis Stanley.
When the figures are totalled for both individuals and households, seasoned electoral observers calculate a possible shortfall in the West Belfast register of 25,000 voters.
Expressing anger at the revelations, local Sinn Féin Councillor Gerard O’Neill – who also experienced trouble with his electoral registration form last month – said the figures “quite clearly demonstrate that a problem exists in relation to the registration of people in working-class areas of high deprivation, particularly in terms of the resources given to an area like West Belfast”.
“I am very angry and concerned about these revelations. The Electoral Office has a responsibility to ensure the maximum number of people is assisted to secure their democratic franchise, but if this success rate related to a commercial business – it would fold.
“The Electoral Office has failed and very serious questions are now being asked about the manner in which the process of registration is being managed.
“I experienced basic problems with my form last month when I was told it hadn’t arrived even though I had sent it in, but because I am a councillor, I was able to take the matter up publicly. How many other residents in West Belfast are going to be faced with a similar disenfranchisement but won’t be able to pursue the matter the way I did?” asked Councillor O’Neill.
Since the 2001 Westminster election, the electoral register for West Belfast has already dropped by over 12,000 voters.
Next week’s fresh register is expected to confirm that negative and dramatic trend. In anticipation of that likelihood, key community activists are already gearing up for a massive registration campaign throughout the constituency.
• Read next Thursday’s Andersonstown News for more details
Journalist:: Jarlath Kearney
