ONE in six adultse in Scotland are still not registered to vote, the election watchdog has warned ahead of next week’s looming deadline.
The Electoral Commission urged people, especially young people and those who have recently moved house, to make sure they were registered by 11.59pm on Tuesday.
Registration can be done online at the www.gov.uk/registertovote
Andy O’Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland, said: “The whole of the UK is gearing up for this election and it is vital that everyone in Scotland is able to have their say, and they must be registered by 26 November.
“It only takes five minutes to register to vote online - time that you might otherwise spend waiting for the kettle to boil or for a bus to arrive. So if you want to make sure your voice is heard and you’re not already registered, go online and register now.”
The Commission estimates between 8.3million and 9.4m eligible voters in Great Britain are not correctly registered at their current address.
To vote in the general election a person must be registered to vote, be 18 years or over on polling day and be a UK or Irish citizen or a qualifying Commonwealth citizen resident in the UK.
The deadline to register for a postal vote is 5pm on 26 November north of the border.
With students under-represented on the electoral register, NUS Scotland said it had representatives on college and university campuses across the country to sign students up to make sure their voices are heard in the election.
Students living away from home are eligible to vote at their home or at term-time address.
NUS Scotland President Liam McCabe said: “The deadline is fast approaching and time is running out to ensure students are registered to vote in this crucial general election.
“By being voters, students in Scotland can make the decisive change in this election. But they need to make sure they’re registered, and make a plan to use their vote come polling day.
“It only takes five minutes to register and we’re calling on all institutions to ensure this is clearly signposted and actively encouraged during classes.
“With polling day coinciding with the festive wind-down, it’s crucial that students register and make a plan.
“Students living away from home can vote at either at home or their term-time address on polling day. That means thinking ahead, making a plan of where they’re going to vote and coming out in their droves to make a change.”
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