An independent watchdog body has expressed concern about the accuracy and completeness of the register used for elections in Northern Ireland. After carrying out a random check of 1,500 addresses, the Electoral Commission said as many as one in five entries are inaccurate. It also said up to 400,000 people are not registered at the correct address. The elections watchdog body is recommending urgent action is taken.
Electoral Commissioner for Northern Ireland, Anna Carragher, said: “The findings show a quite significant and worrying decline in both the completeness and the accuracy of the electoral register in Northern Ireland.
She explained that completeness meant asking if all the people who should be on the register were listed, while accuracy meant asking if all the correct details were recorded. “For example, somebody might be on the register but at the wrong address, or somebody might not be on the register at all. This really is worrying, it has got significant implications for our democracy.”
Full Article: BBC News – Electoral Commission concerned at accuracy of register.