Eastwood dismayed that voters in NI cannot register online for poll

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has voiced his disappointment that Northern Ireland people will not be able to register to vote online in time for the forthcoming general election.

Whilst legislation to approve electronic registration was passed last December, the systems are not in place as yet.

The Electoral Office has said it hopes the system will be in place this autumn.

“It is very unfortunate that electronic registration will not be in place for this election,” said Mr Eastwood.

“The legislation is obviously in place but the Electoral Office need to get it implemented.”

In advance of last year’s Assembly poll it emerged that over 60,000 people had been removed from the register here because they had not returned their forms, something now required by law.

In Britain, 90% of voter registrations are made online. But in Northern Ireland potential voters will have to continue to complete hard copy forms for the time being.

The deadline for registration for the general election on June 8 is May 22.

“This presents difficulties for all political parties trying to get people back on the register, so it is doubly disappointing that electronic registration is not yet in place yet,” said Mr Eastwood.

“Almost all business is conducted on line now so this is presenting us with particular challenges in attempting to enhance the democratic process.

A spokesperson for the Government said it “remains committed to introducing online registration to Northern Ireland as soon as possible”.

“However, it is important to ensure that the system is prop- open to backing “independent, non-party aligned, pro-Europe candidates in key battleground constituencies”.

Mr Eastwood said he was deeply disappointed at the failure of the anti-Brexit initiative.

“It now seems that there is little prospect of political unity against pro-Brexit MPs, despite our best efforts,” he added.

“The Green Party’s suggestion that a pro-Europe MP (Alasdair McDonnell) who campaigned against and voted against Brexit should stand down is simply a non-runner.

“We have also been unable to erly tested and robust, which will not be possible for the June 8 election,” they added.

Former chief electoral officer Graham Shields said in January that the system could have been overcome the obstacle of abstentionism. This election is about sending a message to London by returning MPs who will take the fight to Theresa May and the Tories at Westminster. That means we need a strong team of pro-Europe MPs taking their seats and taking a stand against a hard Brexit.”

Mr Eastwood said it was “a matter of profound regret” that the pact had been opposed by Alliance, whom, he alleged, had “to their shame attempted to sectarianise the proposal”.

He added: “It is a democratic travesty that despite 56% of peo- put in place in February, had it not been for the snap Assembly election.

Ulster Unionist MP Tom Elliott told the BBC he had met Northern Ireland Minister Kris ple voting to remain, only 22% of Northern Ireland’s MPs voted against Brexit. That cannot stand.”

Mrs O’Neill said: “I am disappointed that parties which are opposed to Brexit and Tory cuts, and which are pro-equality, have not been able to agree a progressive alliance to contest the Westminster election.

“This will almost certainly gift seats to some of the most pro-Brexit hardliners. I would urge those parties to reconsider. Sinn Fein remains committed to maximising the anti-Brexit vote in this election.” Hopkins to move the issue forward.

“My understanding from a meeting we had some months ago was that it was broadly in place and most of the issues had been ironed and the difficulties resolved,” he said.

“I’m not sure what the delays are because they have the software in place so it shouldn’t be difficult to do. I thought it could have been implemented very quickly but for some reason it hasn’t.”

Other parties have also criticised the delay.

Meanwhile, DUP MP for East Antrim Sammy Wilson has urged unionists to ensure they are registered to vote in order to prevent “Sinn Fein winning by default”. funds and I think there is a recognition out there within Europe that they want to continue that support.

“What that looks like has all to be discussed as part of the negotiations.”

Mrs O’Neill said that the EU position should include a declaration that Northern Ireland must retain special status.

“Brexit is bad for our economy, it undermines our peace process, and it denies the democratic wish of the people who voted to remain in the EU and will create a hard border,” she said.

Under the party’s plan, Northern Ireland would also:

• Have laws that reflected the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights.

• Retain access to the single market and customs union, with full freedom of movement of goods, people and services.

• Be subject to EU employment rights and the jurisdiction of the European Court.

• Have a right to send Stormont ministers to certain Council of Ministers meetings.

• Retain a form of political representation in Brussels, with EU citizens living in the region having the right to vote in European elections.

Mrs O’Neill called on Dublin to adopt the call for special status as its position entering Brex-