If your name is not on the register, you cannot vote

The need to register to vote every year was brought in by the Electoral Fraud Act 2002.

In the past, one form was given to every household but now everyone has to register individually.

While it is not compulsory to vote, it is a legal requirement for everyone in the province aged 16 and over to be included on the Electoral Register.

The Electoral Office has been specifically targeting young people this year as, statistically, they do not register to vote.

It has made registration forms available in a number of locations including schools, colleges, youth clubs, community centres and council offices.

Anyone not on the register will not be able to vote in next year's local government election in May.

The new register will be published on 1 December.