A LARGE exercise to update the electoral register is underway in Trafford – and citizens are being urged to respond.

Letters have been sent to the more than 97,000 homes in the borough, with details of who is registered at each address as part of the annual registration process.

People are being asked to confirm via text, telephone, online or by post if the information is still correct and to provide details of any changes.

Anyone living at the address who is eligible but not already registered is being invited to register.

By law every household must respond to this form and anybody who does not could receive a visit from a council inspector and be liable to a fine of up to £1,000.

Trafford's electoral registration officer, Theresa Grant, said: "Only people who are registered have the democratic right to vote in local and general elections and referendums.

“This is the main reason why people should check the letters currently being sent out and let us know if the details are correct or if anything has changed.

“This is the only way they can be sure of playing a part in helping shape our local democracy. The number of people on Trafford's Electoral Register can also be a factor in determining how many MPs represent the area in Government.

“Another important fact is that the electoral register is used by credit reference agencies, so failing to register could impact significantly on someone's ability to secure a mortgage, obtain a credit card or even a mobile phone agreement.

“I would strongly urge everyone to take a few minutes to make sure they don't miss out at the ballot box just because their name isn't on Trafford's electoral register."

The General and local elections held in May were the first held under the individual electoral registration (IER) system, which replaced a household registration system (where one person could register everyone in the household) to a system where everyone has personal responsibility to make sure they are registered.

With the annual electoral register due to be published on 1 December this year, the process of updating the register must begin again.

Individual electoral registration is more challenging in large urban areas which have a high proportion of people changing address every year, as well as high proportions of nationally under-registered groups such as students, young people and people living in rented homes.