Householders who fail to return their forms face £1,000 fine
Householders across the borough who have refused to return their electoral registration forms are now facing a potential £1,000 fine.
Letters warning of potential legal action were sent out recently, to addresses where a member of the household refused to provide the necessary information to the canvassers, when they made a home visit to help them fill in their form.
Councillor Mark Bowen said, “Even if people decide they do not wish to participate in the democratic process, we have a legal duty to make sure the local electoral register is up to date.”
“We have given people ample opportunity to fill in their forms, and the vast majority have done just that. We decided to prosecute this small proportion of residents after our repeated requests were refused.
“Those who return their forms before the court date can still avoid the prospect of receiving a £1,000 fine.”
April 26, 2009