Sir, – Around 7,000 people in the Richmond parliamentary constituency are in danger of losing their right to vote.
The introduction of individual electoral registration (IER) means that nearly 4,000 names (11 per cent) will be missing from the register in Richmondshire, with over 6,000 (nine per cent) in Hambleton which is partly in the Richmond constituency.
From now on every elector must register his/her vote individually instead of it being done en bloc by the head of household. The change has been brought in to prevent fraud.
This will not affect next year’s general election, but it will for subsequent elections. I would urge anyone who is unsure to check with electoral registration at your local council. Voting is a hard-won, precious right and we should not lose it by neglect or inattention to official forms.
CHRIS FOOTE-WOOD
Prospective Parliamentary LibDem candidate for Richmond
Brook Terrace, Darlington.
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