Elections
Q. How can I register to vote in elections in Northern Ireland?
Electoral registration in Northern Ireland is run by the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland. You can find information on how to register and obtain a registration form by visiting their website
To be eligible to register you must be:
- A British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of a MemberState of the European Union.
- 17 or over (though you are only eligible to vote when you are 18 or over).
- Resident in Northern Ireland for the past three months.
Q. Why should I register?
You cannot vote if you are not on the electoral register. The register is also used to confirm identity for the purposes of obtaining credit and to counteract fraud. It is a legal requirement to register and you may be fined for failing to do so.
Q. Where should I go to vote?
In almost all cases you will have to go to your allotted polling station to vote. You will be sent a poll card telling you where it is about two weeks before any election. When voting at a polling station in Northern Ireland you are required to present acceptable photographic identification. The poll card will tell you the types of photographic identification that will be accepted. If you do not bring one of these with you, you will not be allowed to vote. If you wish to apply for a free electoral identity card you can contact the Electoral Office Helpline on 0800 4320 712.
Q. What identification do people need to vote in elections in Northern Ireland?
- A Northern Ireland or Great Britain full driving licence or a Northern Ireland provisional licence, all of which must bear the photograph of the holder.
- A passport issued by the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland.
- A Senior SmartPass, Blind Person’s SmartPass, or War Disabled SmartPass, issued under the Northern Ireland Concessionary Fares Scheme.
- An electoral identity card.
Q. What are the rules regarding fundraising for political parties in Northern Ireland?
From 1 November 2007, donations to registered political parties in Northern Ireland have been regulated. This placed a new set of requirements on parties, who must ensure that they do not accept donations from impermissible sources. Parties must also record all donations greater than £200 and must report donations above certain thresholds to the Electoral Commission each quarter.
From 1 July 2008 loans and other political borrowings taken out by political parties in Northern Ireland were also regulated. Parties must ensure that new loans over £200 in value are from permissible sources. They must report new loans and changes to existing loans to the Electoral Commission each quarter.
Detailed guidance on the regulation of donations and loans to political parties can be found on the Electoral Commission’s website
Q. How many MPs does Northern Ireland have?
Northern Ireland has 18 MPs. Who they are and the areas they represent can be found on the UK Parliament website
Q. How many MLAs does Northern Ireland have?
There are 108 MLAs, six MLAs per Westminster constituency. They are elected on a PR basis and the last election was held in March 2007.
Q. Who are Northern Ireland’s MEPs?
Bairbre de Brún, Dianne Dodds and Jim Nicholson were elected to the European Parliament in June 2009.
The next European Parliamentary Elections are scheduled to be held in June 2009. If you are not already registered, you can register to vote at these elections by contacting the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland
