ALMOST every voter registered in Swindon at the last election has transferred to the new system introduced last year – bucking the national trend.

Each individual is now responsible for making sure they are on the register, something previously down to the head of the house.

Across the country there have been concerns many have not registered under the new system, with an estimated one million missing out, but in Swindon 99 per cent have moved across.

There has been a sustained a campaign in the town to make people aware of the new system, known as the Individual Electoral Registra-tionsystem.

Sally Sprason, Swindon’s electoral services manager, said: “We have been doing all we can to make sure people are aware of the changes and it appears to have been successful. Around 99 per cent of voters registered at the last election have registered with IER. We have not seen the drop elsewhere.

“There is a low student population in Swindon, who are one of the main groups to have been affected by the change.”

Sally’s team has also been working with other agencies, such as the Department of Work and Pensions, to compare data so they can inform as many people as possible of the changes. Residents have until April 20 to register if they want to vote in the general and local elections on May 7.

Although many existing voters have registered, Sally is also reminding people who have just moved to the town to make sure they have done so in time.

“While we can check against the existing register we can’t tell if new people to Swindon have registered,” she said. As long as you have your National Insurance number then it only takes five minutes. If people want to vote then they must have registered by the deadline.”

The upward trend of residents using postal votes is continuing, with an estimated 30,000 requests already. Another rush is expected and it is possible the election will be marked by a greater number than ever before of voters who do not need to leave home to poll.

The deadline to apply for postal voting is April 21.

To register to vote online, visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Voters will have their chance to put questions to all the General Election candidates at two hustings events organised by the Adver.

On April 27 all the main party candidates for North Swindon will be facing the public at the Wyvern Theatre with South Swindon candidates up the following night.

Tickets are free and can be ordered from the theatre or by visiting www.swindontheatres.co.uk.