Register to vote - annual canvass reminder

All East Northamptonshire residents have been sent a form checking who is registered to vote at their address.

The Household Enquiry Form (HEF) will come from East Northamptonshire Council (ENC) and is sent to every home across the district. It's addressed to the occupier and will contain the details of all those in the household who are registered to vote. Residents are being asked to confirm that these details are correct.

Confirming details are correct takes less than five minutes and can be done via text, telephone or post. But the quickest and easiest way to confirm or update your household's details is to visit: www.householdresponse.com/eastnorthants

If the details on the form are wrong, for example, someone has moved away or moved in, you need to let ENC know by either going online or completing the form and returning it by post in the pre-paid envelope. The envelope will be addressed to a London address, rather than East Northamptonshire Council.

The HEF is vital for local authorities to keep their electoral registers up-to-date, but not providing correct details could affect you too. Not being registered can affect your applications for loans, mortgages and even mobile phone contracts. You will also lose the right to have your say at the ballot box.

The information requested on the HEF is required by law and not responding or providing false information on the form can result in a £1000 fine.

A canvasser will visit the homes of residents who do not reply to collect the information on your doorstep during August.

Steven North, Leader of East Northamptonshire Council said: "Residents should not ignore the form when it lands on their doormat, as the annual canvass is an essential part of local democracy. So avoid a knock on the door when you are settling down in front of the TV and complete your HEF straightaway - it'll take less than five minutes."

For more information about the electoral register visit www.gov.uk/electoral-register/overview