MORE than 75,000 people have registered to vote in the North Ayrshire and Arran constituency at next month’s General Election.

The deadline for registering was Monday, April 20 and those wishing to vote by postal proxy or postal had to register the following day.

And the Electoral Commission have now confirmed that 75,562 Electors have registered – with this figure subject to change as a number of registrations and applications are still waiting to be verified.

The deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy is 5pm on April 28, while emergency proxies can be registered on 5pm on the day of the General Election, May 7.

A brand new registration system was introduced to Scotland on September 19. Previously households registered collectively but now EVERYONE within a residency is required to sign up.

Returning Officer Elma Murray (pictured below) said: “The Returning Officer has an important role to help publicise how and where residents can register to vote. With the changes to the system introduced this time we have worked hard to give clear, concise information.

“Through local papers and social media, I think we managed to do that. It’s really heartening that so many of our residents are engaged with the political process and keen to play a part in the General Election.”