Welcome to the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland

The first ever draw of the Electoral Office Free Prize Draw was made by the Honourable the Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Tom Hartley on 14 August.

The first prize of £500 was won by a 53 year old man from North Antrim, the second prize of £300 by a 66 year old woman from Lagan Valley and the two third prizes, each of £100, by a 25 year old woman from South Down and a 28 year old man from the Foyle constituency.  All the winners have been notified.

Since the launch of the Electoral Office Free Prize Draw at the end of March the Office has received over 34,000 Electoral Registration forms compared with 3,500 during the same period in 2007.

The figures were announced by Douglas Bain, Chief Electoral Officer, ahead of the first draw of the 12 month pilot scheme under which anyone who informs the Electoral Office of a change of name or address, or who registers for the first time has the opportunity to win a cash prize.

The Right Honourable, The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tom Hartley, supporting the scheme, will make the draw and over the next few days four people in Northern Ireland will be receiving a letter from the Electoral Office telling them that they have won a prize of £500, £300 or one of two runner up prizes of £100.

Douglas Bain said: “I am delighted with the huge increase in the number of registration forms received which will help to ensure that our electoral register remains the most accurate and comprehensive anywhere in these islands.  

The significant increase in the number of registration forms received has been helped by a number of proactive initiatives all aimed at reminding people that they must inform the Office if they change their name or address and to encourage people not registered to “Get on the List”.

The facility to use information from the Central Services Agency has also helped and over 80,000 individuals who appeared to have moved house have been reminded of the need to submit a registration form to update their details.  Earlier this year the Chief Electoral Officer also warned that those who wilfully failed to provide him with information risked prosecution.

Anyone who is not sure whether they are on the register or wants an application form or advice about registering should contact us.

A by-election will be held in the Enniskillen District Electoral Area of Fermanagh District Council on 17 September 2008. For further information and to obtain forms, visit the Enniskillen By-Election page.