Hindu Council UK has teamed up with other organisations that support black and ethnic minority communities to encourage registration and highlight that you can quickly register in five minutes while waiting for the kettle to boil or running a bath.
The Electoral Commission estimates that 24% of black voters in the UK are not registered, as nearly half of England gets set to go to the polls for local elections on 3rd May 2018.
The Commission’s brand new campaign “Got 5?” is encouraging people to register online at: gov.uk/register-to-vote before the 17th April deadline if they have local elections in their area.
It’s also estimates that 20% of Asian voters aren’t registered to vote, whilst nearly a quarter (23%) of electors with mixed ethnicity are not yet registered.
Emma Hartley, Head of Campaigns at the Electoral Commission, said: “With many local authorities across England and London holding local elections in May it’s vital that people register to vote before the 17th April deadline. We’re keen to see people using the time that may otherwise be wasted, like waiting for a bus, to go online and complete a form in five minutes. It’s quick, simple and really important.”
Sanjay Jagatia, Director Secretary General of the Hindu Council UK said: “Time is running out. With only a few days to go time is running out to make sure you can take part in the local elections. These elections are an opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in the UK. But if you’re not registered by 17 April, you won’t be able to vote.”
People can find out if they have elections in their area on the Commission’s Your Vote Matters website. Local government elections select councillors, who are responsible for making decisions on running services in your local area.
To vote in local council elections a person must be registered to vote, 18 years or over on polling day and also be one of the following:
* a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of the European Union
* resident in the UK
* not be subject to any legal incapacity to vote
If you were eligible to vote in last year’s general election and your details have not changed, you will still be registered to vote.
More information on voting in the local elections can be found on the Commission’s Your Vote Matters website: https://www.yourvotematters.
