HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of people – including hundreds in Moray – are in danger of losing their opportunity to vote in the Scottish Parliament elections in May.
That is the warning from Labour MSPs Rhoda Grant and David Stewart, who are calling for people throughout their Highlands and Moray constituency to ensure that they are registered.
Those who believe they are already registered are encouraged to check as they may have missed out through the switch to the Individual Electoral Registration (IER) system in Scotland, which has seen an estimated 800,000 names dropping off the electoral roll.
The fall has come about because many people are possibly unaware that the changes make it the responsibility of each individual to sign up – previously, one person in each household was responsible for registering all those of voting age.
“One of the great benefits of living in a democracy is that everyone has the right to vote,” Rhoda Grant said, adding: “In this election, as with in the independence referendum in 2014, 16 and 17 years olds will also have their say.”
David Stewart added: “I would encourage everyone to check they are registered. The election in May will decide who will form Scotland’s next Government and what priorities we should have as a country.”