Thousands urged to get their electoral registration forms in

With a postal strike looming Swansea residents are being urged not to delay in returning their electoral registration forms.

More that 106,000 forms have been delivered to homes across the city and county as part of a drive to ensure Swansea's electoral register is up to date and everyone eligible has the right to vote in elections.

Just over 65 per cent have been returned but with 34.46% outstanding Swansea Council is urging those people to act now.

In a bid to get those forms in reminders have also been sent out and Swansea Council is to send people door to door to encourage and assist people to confirm or correct their details.

The new register comes into force on December 1st based on the forms which have been returned and details confirmed online or by the free automated phone service.

This register will be in place for the general election which will give people on the register the chance to vote for their MPs and future Prime Minister – it has to be legally called by June 6th 2010 at the latest.

Every year Swansea Council's election team sends a form to every household in the city to check that the details held on the Electoral Register are correct.

The register is a list of the people who are registered to vote in the city and County of Swansea.

To be able to vote in local and national elections you have to be on the register and it is a legal requirement that residents respond to this form.

All adults eligible to vote in each household should be registered on the form. Any 16 and 17 year olds should also be included even though they will only be able to vote if they turn 18 by polling day.

It is really easy to do as most people's information will already be pre-printed correctly on the form.

Changes to details listed on the forms should be completed as soon as possible and returned in the prepaid envelope provided.

Alternatively, households whose details are unchanged from last year can simply use a free automated phone service or register on line.

By calling 0800 1072015 and keying in the special two part security code printed on the registration form, the responsible adult in the household can confirm existing details in minutes.

Similarly you can confirm your details by going to www.registerbyinternet.com/swansea and follow the simple instructions.

Both services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Anyone needing further information about elections or the electoral register can call Swansea's Electoral Services on 01792-636042 or go to the council's website on www.swansea.gov.uk

If you have not received a form then please contact the elections office on Swansea 636681 or 636719. You can also use these numbers if you have any queries relating to the electoral registration form.