SINN Féin MLA Raymond McCartney has said regional electoral offices provide a vital service to local communities.
Said the Foyle MLA: “The electoral offices provide a vital service for local democracy and play a vital role in rural democracy.
“At a time when it has become harder and harder to secure the right to vote this service is needed more than ever.
“This decision on local offices affecting local workers and impacting on local democracy should be taken by local politicians.
“Local electoral offices do not fall under the control of the Assembly.
“In fact the SDLP opposed a Sinn Féin amendment calling on the Executive to pursue transfer of functions from NIO.
“The decision taken by the electoral office to close regional offices is not democratic or accountable to locally elected public representatives.”
