Former Mayor of Derry and Strabane Councillor Brian Tierney
The SDLP Foyle candidate was speaking after the latest figures from the Electoral Office showed that 48.3% of those eligible in the constituency had re-registered so far.
Every ten years, the electoral register is expunged as part of the national canvass and everyone in Northern Ireland is required to re-register to vote, even if you have been registered previously.
Said Cllr Tierney: “Everyone in Derry knows about the struggle past generations went through to secure voting rights for everyone in the North.
“These rights were hard won and it’s disappointing to see that less than half of those eligible have thus far re-registered to vote.
“The best way to honour those that fought for us is to re-register and utilise our right to vote when the opportunity presents itself.
“Re-registering is a quick and easy process, it only takes five minutes and will secure your place on the electoral register for the next ten years.
“Derry has been failed by the dominance of Sinn Féin and the DUP over recent years.
“We have heard so many promises about the future and potential of our city, but little delivery.
“We still have some of the highest levels of unemployment, are waiting for our university to be expanded as promised and have to watch some of our best young people leave year after year in the hope of a better life somewhere else.
“Derry needs change and the best way to secure that change is by re-registering to vote and ensuring that you have a vote in upcoming elections.
“Don’t let your voice be silenced and our city subjected to another round of broken promises.”
You can re-register to vote at: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
