§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to inform service personnel of the implications of section 7 of the Representation of the People Act 2000 for armed forces voters. [133730]
§ Mr. SpellarA Joint Service Defence Council Instruction is being prepared to inform Service personnel and their dependants about the implications of the new electoral registration procedures. In addition, articles will be provided for Services' in-house news publications, appropriate families' and dependants' journals and single Service websites. A reference to section 7 of the RPA 2000 will be included, explaining to those with a Service qualification that they will have the option of either still registering annually to vote by means of a Service declaration, or registering in the same way as other voters if the appropriate residence criteria are met. The articles will complement the laying before Parliament of the regulations for electoral registration.