Last chance to register to vote

Date published: 12/04/2007

There are still a few days left to register in time to be able to vote in the local elections on 3 May.

The 18 April registration deadline is approaching and Rochdale Council is making a final call for those eligible to vote to ensure they are on the electoral roll.

Anyone not registered by 18 April will not be able to vote in the local elections.

With less than a week until the deadline of 18 April, all eligible voters need to make sure they have returned their registration forms to the Council.

Forms are downloadable from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk, from www.rochdale.gov.uk or by contacting the Council directly.

Registering is particularly important for anyone who has recently moved home - if they do not register at their new address they risk falling off the electoral register.

If you are not sure if you are registered to vote, call the electoral services team at Rochdale Council, who will be able to check for you.

You can't vote if you're not registered - and contrary to popular belief, you won't be automatically registered even if you pay Council Tax.

Roger Ellis, the Council's Chief Executive and Electoral Registration Officer, said: "Registering to vote is very simple. Either contact our office, visit www.rochdale.gov.uk or www.aboutmyvote.co.uk to get all you need - a downloadable registration form and our contact details. Once you've filled in the form and signed it, make sure it reaches us before midnight on 18 April to secure your vote."

Andrew Scallan, Director of Electoral Administration at the Electoral Commission, said: "Local councils have responsibility for many of the facilities and services we use every day, from education to playgrounds to speed bumps. Voting in these elections means that you can influence things that affect your everyday life, so I urge you to make sure you are registered in time to make your vote count on 3 May."

• Anyone wishing to have a postal vote needs to have the application for that in to the Council before 5pm on 18 April.