Electoral Commission targets Facebook users

Facebook users who need to register will be directed to an application form

Electoral Commission to target Facebook users

The Electoral Commission, the official body charged with encouraging more electors to take part in elections, is turning to Facebook to try to persuade more young people to cast their votes on May 6.

The commission's aim is to use the social network site to persuade tens of thousands of those who have not bothered to register to do so before the deadline on Tuesday 20 April.

Every Facebook user who logs into their account from today will receive a prompt asking them if they are registered to vote and directing those who are not to a new application on its Democracy UK page.

A commission spokesman said: "By downloading and printing a form through Facebook, users can now make sure they are able to have their say on election day."

The commission estimates 3.5 million people who are eligible may not be registered and without registration, they cannot vote.

Facebook policy director Richard Allan said that with 23 million users in the UK it is uniquely placed to reach those not yet registered and give them a chance to put that right.

He said: "Any Facebook user who is not currently registered to vote should visit the Democracy UK page and download their own personalised registration form.”