HC Deb 07 December 1951 vol 494 cc349-50W
Dr. King

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements he is making to see that men on active service in the Far East are enabled to vote in the 1952 local government elections.

Mr. Head

So that all those eligible to vote might be included in the spring 1952 electoral register before it closed on the qualifying date, all commanding officers were reminded of their responsibility to ensure that all officers and men under their command were made aware of their voting rights. In particular they were required to ensure that any unregistered Service man was given a Service voter's declaration card and it was stressed that, as those serving overseas may vote only by proxy, a proxy should be appointed on the declaration card, even though the man completing it was in the United Kingdom at the time of his declaration. Commanding officers were also required to certify that this review of Service voters in their unit had been made.