Register to vote, residents urged

The event has been organised by the Carrickfergus branch of the Progressive Unionist Party and will take place at the Civic Centre next Wednesday (February 12) from 6pm-8pm.

In a statement on the Carrick PUP Facebook page, the party said the session had been arranged with following an increasing number of inquiries in relation to registration.

“After studying the latest statistics on registered eligible voters, the PUP has taken the step to make sure that the people of Carrickfergus are prepared for the upcoming local Government and European election on 22 May by organising an electoral registration evening in Carrickfergus Civic Centre,” the statement added. “With RPA coming into effect...it is imperative that everyone is represented in a democratic vote.”

A number of members expressed their support for the event at Monday night’s meeting of the local authority.

Councillor Charlie Johnston said: “I would encourage young people in particular to come along to this evening and get registered, but it’s important to just get as many people from Carrick as possible.”

Alderman James Brown added: “It’s important that those who have the right to vote should claim that right, and the only way they can do that is by being registered.

“We did ask for something like this before and we had a poor response, so anything that helps voter turnout should have this council’s support.”