07 April 2008
New figures show nearly half a million extra people in the United Kingdom have signed up for May's elections.
Statistics covering the period December 2006 to December 2007 show registered voter numbers have increased to a record 46 million.
Over the past two years nearly one million new voters have joined the electoral register and are eligible to vote in local elections.
Elections Minister Bridget Prentice said:
'We need as comprehensive an electoral register as possible so everyone is able to have their say.
'Our democracy only works if people vote. Much has been achieved since we passed the Electoral Administration Act in 2006 and we must continue to build on this fantastic momentum.
'Democracy underpins the fabric of our society and provides a voice for those who are vulnerable and marginalised. No vote means no voice.'
As part of the government's drive to improve elections the Electoral Administration Act was passed in 2006 to encourage participation and improve accessibility of the voting process with electors now able to register up to 11 days before an election.
In addition, tough new security measures have been introduced in the Act including the offence of falsely applying for a postal or proxy vote and the criminal offence of supplying false information (or failing to supply information) to the electoral registration officer at any time.
The registration figures for local government electors increased by 294,318 after the annual canvass of 2005. Following the introduction of the Electoral Administration Act in time for the 2006 annual canvass the figures increased by 513,054 and a further 463,340 in 2007.
Meanwhile, the registration figures for parliamentary electors after the annual canvass of 2005 increased by 223,172. In 2006 the figures increased by 371,770 and there was a further rise of 307,669 in 2007.
Notes to editors
1. The collated electoral registration statistics are from the 1 December 2007 statutory publication of the register, released by the Office for National Statistics.
2. The record 46 million registered voter numbers is based on Office for National Statistics figures since 2003.
3. The Electoral Administration Bill was introduced in Parliament in October 2005 and became an Act in July 2006.
4. Copies of the Act are available from the DCA website.
5. For more information, contact Rebecca Mowling in the Ministry of Justice Press Office on 020 7210 8532.