West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

''Register now to secure your vote in any upcoming election.''

Published: 1 September, 2008

''Register now to secure your vote in any upcoming election.''

That is the message from Falls Sinn Fein councillor and Belfast Mayor Tom Hartley.

''There are thousands of people in west Belfast who are entitled to vote but are not on the electoral register.

''When you register to vote, you will stay on the electoral register for perhaps the next 10 elections,'' said Mr Hartley.

''With this year being the 40th anniversary of the civil rights movement, and the central demand of that movement for '1 person, 1 vote', more people need to be aware of the power of a vote.

''I am very pleased to see that the Electoral Office are about to take significant steps to increase the number of young people registering to vote and getting their electoral identity card.

''Caitriona Ruane, in her capacity as education minister, has facilitated a significant expansion of the electoral office plan around post-primary schools.

''This school year the electoral office plan to visit 95% of post-primary schools by 31st March 2009 to conduct electoral registration and electoral ID sessions.

''Sinn Fein will also be pressing the Electoral Office to hold electoral registration and electoral ID clinics in further education colleges where there are significant numbers of young people studying and we will be pressing the electoral office to do the same in shopping centres in west Belfast.

''Sinn Fein activists will also be calling to homes to provide advice and assistance to people to get onto the electoral register,'' said Tom.

The Electoral Office has also launched a free prize draw each month for the next 12 months under which anyone who informs the Electoral Office of a change of name or address, or who registers for the first time has the opportunity to win a cash prize of £500, £300 or one of two runner up prizes of £100.

To check if you are listed on the electoral register contact the Electoral Office on 0800 4320 712 or email info@eoni.org.uk with your name, address and date of birth.

You can download an electoral registration form from the Electoral Office website at http://www.eoni.org.uk/index/registration.htm or you can call into your local Sinn Fein office and we will download a form for you and assist your application to register.

Completed forms should be posted or handed in to the West Belfast Area Office at 1st Floor, St Anne's House, 15 Church Street, Belfast, BT1 1ER.