Millions of voters may miss out on election day

LOCAL authorities have been criticised by a watchdog for "token" efforts at encouraging people to vote.

New research suggests more than 3.5 million voters are still not on the electoral roll.

Just weeks ahead of a general election, the Electoral Commission said young voters are most likely to lose out with more than half of 17- to 24-year-olds unregistered in test areas.

Despite such serious gaps, more than one in four electoral registration officers are failing to meet required standards for raising public awareness of elections, the commission warned.

With registration open up to 11 working days before polling date – expected to be 6 May alongside local elections down south – the commission urged a "final push" to get more signed up.

In a swipe at returning officers' failure to promote registration, commission chairwoman Jenny Watson said:

"This isn't good enough when our registration report shows the need for more targeted action.

"We have asked every registration officer to make one final push before the general election."