Voters had to re-register every year

NIO minister John Spellar said the government would reinstate the electoral register "carry forward" method, which was used before 2002.

Annual registration was introduced over fears of electoral fraud.

But the minister was concerned about a drop in the number of voters who registered as a result.

'Downward drift'

Mr Spellar said that he hoped parliamentary time would allow legislation to be brought forward to allow people who had not re-registered this year to be include on the voters' roll.

He said: "There are concerns across the political spectrum that the requirement on voters to re-register and provide their personal identifiers afresh each year is leading to a downward drift in the overall numbers registered."

"The government is determined to ensure that as many people as possible both secure and use their right to vote.

"Our goal is an electoral register that is both as accurate and as comprehensive as possible."

This year's annual registration closed on 17 November.

However, the minister said: "The government urges all those who have not taken the opportunity to register during the annual canvass period to take the opportunity to register through rolling registration."