Thousands of new voters should be added to Northern Ireland's register by December, the chief electoral officer has pledged.
Measures to make it easier for those with disabilities to vote will also be put in place, Douglas Bain added. He was speaking ahead of next year’s European elections and anticipated Assembly and local government contests in 2011.
“During the year ahead I will be announcing new initiatives to encourage registration amongst young people, people with disabilities and EU citizens, all of whom are under-represented on the register,” he said.
“I will also be checking on the availability and suitability of current polling stations, ensuring that everyone will have the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote.”
The target is to increase the number of electors on the register by at least 11,500 by the beginning of December.