Highlands and Islands (Scottish Labour) MSP, Rhoda Grant has written to the Highland Council Chief Returning Office over concerns about the new system of voter registration ahead of the General Election due to take place on 7th May.
Last year saw the UK Government make the biggest changes to voter registration in a generation with the introduction of Individual Electoral Registration which was aimed at giving people more control over the process and increase the accuracy of the register. This change saw the removal of the ‘head of household’ registration system and places electoral registration in the hands of individuals, the new process is also supported by an on-line registration where the Government have said people can now register by “simply providing their name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number.” However since changes were introduced, the electoral registration process has been fraught with problems.
Rhoda Grant MSP was one of the people to fall foul of the changes, leading to her voicing concerns about the impact on democracy.
Mrs Grant said
“I am extremely concerned about the implementation of the new electoral registration system. Despite being at the same address for over 20 years and being a registered voter throughout that time I was required to re-register.
“When I first became aware I needed to reregister to vote, I followed the Government advice and completed the new on-line registration process. Following the on-line registration I was then asked to supply further proof of identity and submit a copy of my passport, which I did. This was followed by a letter from the Valuation Joint Board stating they had not been able to confirm my details under the new system.”
“It begs the question, what on earth is required to confirm my identity?”
Mrs Grant has now completed and returned her forms enclosed with the covering letter, in a third attempt to be placed on the register.
Continuing Mrs Grant said “I have a growing lack of confidence in the voter registration system and I wonder if I cannot be confirmed as an eligible voter, having lived and voted at the same address for over twenty years, who on earth can? I am a determined voter, however, I regularly come across other voters who are simply not as determined to come out and vote as I am. Disenfranchisement of voters in this roundabout way will be very damaging to our democracy.”
Rhoda Grant in her letter to the Returning Officer is seeking reassurance that, if required, staff will ensure that everyone entitled to vote goes onto the register in time for the General Election in May.
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