This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31133406

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Consider voter registration on polling day, say MPs Consider voter registration on polling day, say MPs
(about 3 hours later)
People should be able to register to vote on an election day itself to help address the growing deficit in democratic engagement, MPs have said.People should be able to register to vote on an election day itself to help address the growing deficit in democratic engagement, MPs have said.
The Commons Political Reform Committee said such a step should be considered by 2020 to "re-energise" elections.The Commons Political Reform Committee said such a step should be considered by 2020 to "re-energise" elections.
It is also calling for votes for 16 and 17 year olds, online voting and general elections to be held at weekends to help boost turnout.It is also calling for votes for 16 and 17 year olds, online voting and general elections to be held at weekends to help boost turnout.
It comes as events are held across the UK to encourage online registration.It comes as events are held across the UK to encourage online registration.
Campaign group Bite The Ballot is hoping to register 250,000 people on a single day by holding a series of rallies in workplaces, universities and schools.Campaign group Bite The Ballot is hoping to register 250,000 people on a single day by holding a series of rallies in workplaces, universities and schools.
People have to be on the electoral register by 20 April to be able to vote in the general election on 7 May.People have to be on the electoral register by 20 April to be able to vote in the general election on 7 May.
Campaigners have warned that the move to individual voter registration last year - in which people have to sign up individually and cannot be registered by another member of their household or student halls - risks disenfranchising a million people.Campaigners have warned that the move to individual voter registration last year - in which people have to sign up individually and cannot be registered by another member of their household or student halls - risks disenfranchising a million people.
'Radical change''Radical change'
Research carried out last summer - before the switch to the new system - found that 7.5 million people eligible to vote were not on the electoral register although ministers have said millions have signed up since online registration was introduced last year.Research carried out last summer - before the switch to the new system - found that 7.5 million people eligible to vote were not on the electoral register although ministers have said millions have signed up since online registration was introduced last year.
How to register to voteHow to register to vote
You can register once you are 16 although you will only be able to vote on 7 May if you are 18 or over on the day.You can register once you are 16 although you will only be able to vote on 7 May if you are 18 or over on the day.
If you are a citizen of another EU member state or Commonwealth country living in the UK, and unsure whether you are entitled to vote in the general election or local elections check the Electoral Commission website.If you are a citizen of another EU member state or Commonwealth country living in the UK, and unsure whether you are entitled to vote in the general election or local elections check the Electoral Commission website.
You can register to vote online through the government's gov.uk portal. The process takes five minutes and you will need your national insurance number.You can register to vote online through the government's gov.uk portal. The process takes five minutes and you will need your national insurance number.
If you are unsure whether you are already registered or want to update your details, contact your local electoral registration officer to find out. You can also register to vote by post.If you are unsure whether you are already registered or want to update your details, contact your local electoral registration officer to find out. You can also register to vote by post.
Election 2015: Can registration drive help turnout?Election 2015: Can registration drive help turnout?
The cross-party committee said the government should consider making registration automatic or allowing people to sign up close to or even on polling day.The cross-party committee said the government should consider making registration automatic or allowing people to sign up close to or even on polling day.
Ways of increasing registration among target groups, such as 18-24 year olds, UK citizens living abroad and people with disabilities must also be a priority, it said.Ways of increasing registration among target groups, such as 18-24 year olds, UK citizens living abroad and people with disabilities must also be a priority, it said.
"We are recommending that the government consider some radical changes, like online voting, holding elections at the weekend and letting voters register to vote on election day, because we believe a serious problem needs serious answers," Graham Allen, the Labour MP who heads the committee, said."We are recommending that the government consider some radical changes, like online voting, holding elections at the weekend and letting voters register to vote on election day, because we believe a serious problem needs serious answers," Graham Allen, the Labour MP who heads the committee, said.
"If we do not take urgent action to make elections more accessible to the public and convince them it is worth voting, we will be facing a crisis of democratic engagement.""If we do not take urgent action to make elections more accessible to the public and convince them it is worth voting, we will be facing a crisis of democratic engagement."
Although overall turnout increased at the 2010 election, the proportion of 18-24 year olds voting was much lower than other groups, prompting calls for online voting to be piloted - a move backed recently by Commons Speaker John Bercow.Although overall turnout increased at the 2010 election, the proportion of 18-24 year olds voting was much lower than other groups, prompting calls for online voting to be piloted - a move backed recently by Commons Speaker John Bercow.
'Democratic rights''Democratic rights'
Bite The Bullet said National Registration Day was an opportunity for people to show that "they wanted more from their democracy". Bite The Ballot said National Registration Day was an opportunity for people to show that "they wanted more from their democracy".
"As this year's campaign is taking place during the handover from 'head of household' to individual registration, it's never been more important to make people aware of the power they hold as engaged, active, registered citizens," said Michael Sani, the co-founder of the organisation."As this year's campaign is taking place during the handover from 'head of household' to individual registration, it's never been more important to make people aware of the power they hold as engaged, active, registered citizens," said Michael Sani, the co-founder of the organisation.
"It's a day for all of us, as citizens, to celebrate our democratic rights. But it's also a chance to prove to decision-makers that we hold a stake in society.""It's a day for all of us, as citizens, to celebrate our democratic rights. But it's also a chance to prove to decision-makers that we hold a stake in society."
The Electoral Commission, which is holding its own registration drive, said 40% of people were not aware they could register online in about five minutes.The Electoral Commission, which is holding its own registration drive, said 40% of people were not aware they could register online in about five minutes.
"Online registration has made it much easier for people to register to vote, so it's vital everyone knows it exists," said Jenny Watson, who chairs the commission."Online registration has made it much easier for people to register to vote, so it's vital everyone knows it exists," said Jenny Watson, who chairs the commission.
"Don't let your friends and family miss out from having their say in May's election because they didn't know how to register or missed the deadline.""Don't let your friends and family miss out from having their say in May's election because they didn't know how to register or missed the deadline."
The watchdog has joined up with technology giant Facebook to send a notification to the social media site's 35 million active UK users to alert them about online registration.The watchdog has joined up with technology giant Facebook to send a notification to the social media site's 35 million active UK users to alert them about online registration.