via Penny Wangari-Jones at Migrants Organise
Nearly 16 million people who were eligible to vote did not do so in the 2015 General election. This as an opportunity to mobilise these communities to get out and exercise their democratic right.
Immigration will feature as a central issue and it is crucial that the experiences of migrant communities are pat of the national debate. Whilst many millions of migrant communities are not eligible to vote, for example asylum seekers, EU citizens and others on temporary resident permits, it is important that they stay involved as this can be an opportunity to discuss their experiences.
Others who are eligible to vote might be unaware of the voting process, overcome by apathy or wary due to unaddressed issues of xenophobia, hate crime, etc.
Simple actions that we could all do;
- Encourage individuals and communities to register to vote by instigating events to do that or highlighting it ongoing events.
The deadline to register to vote is 22.05.16.
- Organise an event or meeting with others to run a voter registration drive in your community or locality.
- Check out who can vote and share that information.
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/faq/voting-and-registration/who-is-eligible-to-vote-at-a-uk-general-election
Political campaigning around election is governed by particular rules. Registered charities are not permitted to support a particular party, but voter registration and similar events are not party political as the point is to encourage voting.
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