Co-operate with electoral canvass - urges O’Loan

He said: “Between now and September 21, every house will get electoral registration forms through the door. It is very important that these are filled in and I urge people to do so. It is several years since a canvass of this kind has been done and the electoral roll is very out of date and inaccurate.

“Next year, probably in May, there will be the first elections to the new Councils. Ballymena will join up with Larne and Carrickfergus to form the Mid and East Antrim Council. As well as covering a much bigger area, the new Council will have extra powers.

“Residents need to take an interest in these things because it will affect them in their pockets and in the quality of service that they receive. First and foremost, residents control the outcome of these things by who they vote for, and people can’t vote if they are not on the electoral register.”

“So please fill in those forms from the Electoral Office. If there are any difficulties with them, I am happy to be contacted to see if I can assist.”