Merlene attends Press launch organized by the Electoral Commission to encourage higher voter registration and turn out at the coming elections

9.00.00am GMT Wed 3rd Feb 2010

On 2nd February, the Electoral Commission held a Press launch at Queen Anne's Gate to announce the publication of their new bilingual leaflet to encourage voter registration. According to Jenny Watson, Chair of the Electoral Commission, about 30 per cent of British Chinese who are eligible to vote are not registered with their local authority to vote. The equivalent statistic of non registration for the rest of the population is closer to the region of 8-9%.

Merlene has worked with Chinese Liberal Democrats to conduct surveys to understand the reasons for this lack of engagement and found that these varied from lack of knowledge and understanding of the election process to apathy and fear.

"It is both a right as well as a privilege to be able to vote in democratic elections. The process for registration is simple, merely by return of the relevant form sent out to householders by the Council confirming the names of householders who are eligible to vote.

"This year will be an especially interesting one as it will be an election year for both the General and Local Council Elections. Certainly an exciting opportunity for us to have our voice heard and to be able to effect real and positive changes."

All European nationals are entitled to vote in local elections and Commonwealth nationals are entitled to vote in both the General and Local Elections. For more information see: http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/