Ulster Unionist MP Tom Elliott and Ulster Unionist Peer Lord Empey yesterday met with Kris Hopkins MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The main focus of the meeting was online voter registration and the proposed reorganisation of electoral office functions.
The Fermanagh & South Tyrone MP said:
“Yesterday, along with Lord Empey, I met with Under-Secretary of State Kris Hopkins where we discussed a range of issues relating to Northern Ireland. The main focus of the meeting was the introduction of online voter registration and the proposed closure of electoral offices.
“I pressed the Minister on how the introduction of online voter registration would affect regional electoral offices, especially those in Ballymena, Newtownabbey, Banbridge, Londonderry, Omagh and Newtownards.
“I also impressed upon Mr Hopkins that digital voter registration had the potential to be manipulated, and I urged him to introduce safeguards to prevent interference by terrorist and criminal elements in our society.
“The potential closure of regional electoral offices raises many questions. Including, who will carry on the work of the electoral offices, will this be local councils? If so, will rate payers be expected to cover the cost?
“There is clearly much detail to be worked out, I will continue to seek clarity on these issues.”
Lord Empey of Shandon said:
“At the meeting with Kris Hopkins, we emphasised how the process within electoral offices currently works, with highly professional and impartial staff underpinning the service.
“We made clear that the proposed changes would create a significant level of confusion for the electorate.
“I also raised concern about the level of actual financial savings within the proposals, if there will be any at all.
“There remain significant issues regarding how the online registration process would be safeguarded against fraud.
“The lack of quality broadband encountered in many areas of Northern Ireland creates an added difficulty that some people may be excluded because of where they live.”
ENDS