Prosecutions in Nottingham over voting register

Nottingham City Council is considering prosecuting a number of people who have refused to give information needed for being included on the voter register.

A council spokeswoman said every year thousands of people failed to respond to voter registration forms so, by law, canvassers had to be sent out.

Most residents do finally supply the information but some refuse to do so.

The spokeswoman added that sending out people to collect information was a "large and unnecessary expense".

It is a legal requirement for people to return a registration form each year and failure to do so can result in a fine of up to £1,000.

Debra La Mola, head of democratic services at Nottingham City Council, said the council believed it was unfair on those who did register to vote to continually foot the bill for those who refused to.

"The city council has now decided that where it is appropriate to do so and depending on the circumstances, it will seek to prosecute householders who refuse to return their voter registration form."