BY MARK MCKELVEY

THE Electoral Office for Northern Ireland has announced a new continuous registration process will replace the annual canvass as a method of maintaining the Electoral Register.

Regulations, that are expected to become law later this month, will mean that the chief electoral officer will be able to use information available from government agencies as a trigger to send a letter reminding people who change their name or address or become eligible to vote, that they must inform the Electoral Office of the changes.

Omagh Town UUP Cllr Ross Hussey was welcomed the announcement, stating, "I would urge all those within the Omagh area who have not yet taken the opportunity to register to do so now. Failure to do so is a breach of the Electoral Law and could result in a possible fine of £1,000 for those who fail to register".

"Naturally as a politician I would encourage people to register to vote however it has to be borne in mind that the register is used as an additional check of identity and residency and there are cases where people could be refused credit or even employment by failing to register.

"Voting of course is not compulsory however failing to vote means that you have lost your opportunity to have a say in the future of the province."

Speaking of the decision, Douglas Bain, Chief Electoral Officer said, "In Northern Ireland we have by far the best electoral registers anywhere in these islands.

"Accurate and comprehensive registers are the foundation of the electoral process and I am confident that the system of continuous registration, which replaces the annual canvass, will result in even better electoral registers.

"The details of people who die will be automatically removed from the register. Continuous registration will help ensure that individuals retain their right to vote and benefit from the many other advantages from being on the Electoral Register.