WITH voters looking forward to this year's big day for democracy on Thursday, May 5, the Electoral Commission - the independent elections and referendum watchdog - is calling on would-be voters to make sure their voice can be heard on polling day.
In Wales we have National Assembly elections as well as the UK-wide referendum on the voting system used to elect MPs. This is the first UK wide referendum in 35 years and the Commission is urging people to make sure they're registered to vote by the deadline of Thursday, April 14, if they want to be able to vote in May.
"If you're not registered to vote by April 14, you can't vote: it's that simple," said the Commission's Head of Campaigns Clinton Proud. "Go to our website, www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and print off and fill in a registration form to send to your local council. That way you can make sure you can have your say on the referendum and in local council elections if you have them in your area on Thursday, May 5. You can also use the site to apply for a postal or proxy vote form if you're not able to make it to the polls on 'Super Thursday'."
The Electoral Commission is sending every household in the UK an information booklet on the elections and the referendum. The booklet, along with more information on the referendum, can be found at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk