Phone app woos younger voters

The app, which is available for all android phones, will provide ongoing news and updates relating to the elections as well as a direct link to the registration application form.

It was launched to encourage senior school children, third-level students and young people to register and have their voice heard as a participating member of the electorate.

It also aims to make it as easy as possible to register and to engage with young people helping them to take part in the democratic process.

Council chief executive Lorraine McMillan said: “Many people assume that they are automatically on the electoral register because they pay council tax – this is not the case.

“Others turn up to vote and find out that they are not on the electoral roll because they forgot to tell us that they have moved house.

“We would urge everyone, especially young and first time voters, to register before the deadline of Monday, April 20.”

The upcoming general election takes place on Thursday, May 7.

Postal and postal proxy vote deadline for applications is 5pm on Tuesday, April 21, and the proxy vote deadline is 5pm on Tuesday, April 28.

Anyone who misses the deadline for registration will not be able to vote in the general election.

To download the app visit www.moderndemocracy.co.uk/renfrewshire_valuation_joint_board.html.