'Use your vote' campaign launched

Political parties want more people to go to the polls

By social affairs reporter Barnie Choudhury

The government is launching a £3m advertising campaign to persuade more people to register to vote.

The campaign called "Make your voice heard" will target ethnic minorities, homeless people, those in mental hospitals and unconvicted or remand prisoners.

According to the University of Warwick, 27% of black and Asian people did not register to vote before the last general election.

Until now, much of the law on registration procedures was outdated and cumbersome

Home Office Minister Mike O'Brien

It will allow people to register to vote at any time. At the moment the electoral roll is updated every October.

Another change will allow people to demand a postal vote without having to give a reason.

The media advertising campaign is being launched on Friday by the Home Office Minister, Mike O'Brien.

He said: "Until now, much of the law on registration procedures was outdated and cumbersome."

'Cumbersome'

"The Representation of the People Act brings registration into the 21st century and takes account of a more mobile society."

The new law means people who are homeless will also find it easier to vote.

According to the government, they will only have to show local connections, such as the address of a café.

Anyone who has been accused of a crime or is on remand can also register in the jail where they are being held.

Mental health patients, except those being held for criminal behaviour will also find it easier to register.

Cross-party support

The campaign and new law have been welcomed by Simon Woolley, national co-ordinator of Operation Black Vote, an organisation that wants more ethnic minority people to register.

"More than one in four of the UK's African, Asian, Caribbean and other minority communities are not registered to vote," he said.

"This deficit challenges the legitimacy of inclusive democracy.

"We therefore applaud any system that makes it easier to register to vote and thereby having a strong political voice."

The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are supporting the campaign.