A team of canvassers will visit homes next week

With the local elections being held in May next year, the council is working to make sure everyone who is eligible to vote will be able to make their voice heard.

A team of canvassers will be visiting around 100,000 homes in the borough next week to deliver registration forms to make sure the electoral register is up-to-date.

The team are delivering registration forms to every home in the borough between 3 and 8 October.

To encourage people to return their forms as soon as possible, every response received before midnight, Sunday, 20 October, will be entered into a free prize draw for a £200 gift voucher of their choice.

CllrPritam Grewal, cabinet member for communications and communities, said: “It is important for people to take a few minutes to check that their details are correct on the register and let us know.  “If you are eligible to vote, it’s vital that you make sure that your name is included on the electoral register. If you aren’t on the register, you cannot vote.” 

Households are being asked to register as soon as possible: 

• If there are no changes to be made, register via the internet, text or telephone. 
• If the information on the form needs changing, the form should be filled in, signed and returned by post in the envelope as quickly as possible. 

Those that fail to register could face a fine of up to £1,000. 

Even if the information on the form is correct and no changes are required, the householder still needs to register to confirm the details. This can be done by visiting www.elecreg.co.uk/hounslow  

For those who do not have internet access, they can:

• Call freephone 0808 284 1416 (English), or 0808 284 1417 (other languages) 24 hours a day
• Register by text message to 07786 209 347 (to confirm their details and opt everyone out of the edited register), or 07786 206 967 (to confirm their details only) 
• Return the signed form in the envelope. 

Residents who wish to register online, over the phone or by text will need to use a two-part security code, which can be found on the form. 

If residents haven’t received their form by 11 October they should contact elections@hounslow.gov.uk or call 020 8583 2828. 

For further information visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/elections

October 2, 2013