§ Ms. Clare Shortasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were refused the right to vote in the local elections in Northern Ireland on 15 May because they were unable to produce the necessary documents.
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§ Mr. ScottThe figures requested are not available. It is clear that some people wishing to vote but not able to produce one of the documents specified under the Elections (Northern Ireland) Act 1985 were refused ballot papers in accordance with the provisions of the Act. In many of these cases, however, the voters concerned subsequently returned to the polling place with an appropriate document and were then able to vote. The total turnout, at 60–61 per cent. compares with 65.0 per cent. at the 1981 local elections and 55.4 per cent. at the 1977 local elections: in some areas it was over 80 per cent.