Extra voters 'good for democracy'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6292679.stm

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Almost 41,000 extra voters have been added to the electoral register in time for the assembly election, which is planned for 7 March.

These voters had submitted their forms after 16 October, the deadline for the register published on 1 December.

The revised register will contain the names and addresses of 1,115,965 people who returned their form by 11 January.

Chief Electoral Officer Douglas Bain said it is "excellent news for everyone who cares about democracy in NI".

"As a result the register, which was already by far the most accurate and comprehensive anywhere in these islands, is even better," he said.

"The register is the result of an enormous programme of work over several months and I would thank everyone who returned a form and all those who have assisted with the registration process."

Earlier this month, the Electoral Office sent a reminder letter to every person on the 2005 register who had not yet returned their form.