§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why the poll cards sent out to the electors of North Antrim bore the letters OHMS while those sent out in North Down did not bear similar letters.
§ Mr. OrmeI understand that the poll cards sent to electors in North Down were a recent print, and the Chief Electoral Officer, because of his independent office, had given instructions that they should not bear the letters OHMS. Elsewhere in Northern Ireland there were some poll cards in stock bearing these letters and, because of the paper shortage, the Chief Electoral Officer decided that these should be used.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, why a number of Northern Ireland voters who applied for postal votes were refused because they were informed that their names were not on the electoral list when in fact their names were included on the list.
§ Mr. OrmeThe Chief Electoral Officer is at present investigating complaints from people who allege that they had been informed that their names were not on the electoral list when in fact they were. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind the Chief Electoral Officer will be pleased to look into it.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why voters in Glynn, County Antrim, received poll cards at the recent election which were in fact poll cards for an election held on 30th May 1973.
§ Mr. OrmeThe Chief Electoral Officer has told me that the poll cards in question were not issued for the recent General Election by his staff; he is inquiring further into the matter and I will inform the hon. Member of the outcome.