Eu Referendum: Voter Extension 'may Be Legally Challenged'

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36486369

I take it then, that we can assume that the LEAVE campaign think that all these last minute registrations are more likely to vote to STAY ?

A bad loser in the making !

[ToraToraTora]

" People should not be denied a vote due to a technical failure beyond their control. " - quite right gromit but they should be if they cannot take 2 minutes out of 15hours to vote.

[New Judge]

Of course it will be interesting to see how many miss the extended deadline:

"I was trying for a good quarter of an hour before I got cut off at midnight!" (having had many weeks to express an interest. It is true that those running the system should have anticipated a last minute rush. But it is also true that those trying to register should have done the same.

[Jackdaw33]

Remember the 2010 election when in some places there were long queues and those not already inside at 10 o'clock were turned away?

[Gromit]

Tora,

The registration process closed 2 hours before the time advertised. People who wanted to register in those 2 hours should have been able to do so. They did not miss the stated deadline, the deadline moved.

Not sure why the Leavers are so desperately trying to deny anyone a vote. The more people entitled to vote, that do so, the better.

[ToraToraTora]

no one is trying to deny anyone, the late people the last minuters the a******* that inconvenience every one around them every day by their tardiness do not deserve a vote if they cannot get registered in a sensible time.

[agchristie]

Those that had not registered are we talking about those who are unable to cotton on as to what the issues are in this important decision?!

[mikey4444]

The reality here is that Arron Banks thought this new extension was going to
result in any new voters giving their votes to the LEAVE campaign, we wouldn't be hearing a peep out of him !

[Gromit]

The sensible time is any time the site is advertised as open.

If the polling stations were to close 2 hours early on June 23rd, I am sure you would not be saying it is the voters fault.

[Old_Geezer]

If the crowds drove the polling staff insane by all turning up at once and demanding attention, and there was no one left to run the poll, then for sure I'd blame the voters there.

[Mamyalynne]

Human nature is exactly that - human.

There are 'last minuters' in everything from catching planes,buses,trains to attending appointments ,weddings and so on.

In this instance an extension makes some sense and I rather doubt it will actually sway the overall vote.

[Jackdaw33]

I agree. Although a committed OUTER I don't think this will make the slightest bit of difference to the outcome. Complaining can only bring the LEAVE campaign into disrepute.

[Dodger666]

Surely people have had more than enough time to register to vote, the referendum date was announced on 23rd February.

I can't imagine too many people have moved address during that time. Even if they have they could vote in their old constituency. The deadline should have been left where it was.

[Svejk]

Yes, mamya, that's true. But they don't normally run trains, planes, buses or weddings late to suit the latecomer. (unless it's the bride, of course. Or transport in Ireland)

[Peter Pedant]

// The deadline is a manufactured one anyway.
There should no reason why people cannot register up to the day before. //

not really
there is a separate thread on this
the S I 29-4 states there are five days to apply
and then five days to register an objection
and if there is no objection then the registrar of the register can register the elector

sorry used register three times in the last sentence

does anyone know what grounds the challenge will be ?

' because I dont like it ' would get short shrift from a judge

[Peter Pedant]

// But they don't normally run trains, planes, buses or weddings late to suit the latecomer. //

nope they werent late comers
they had applied in time

so the analogy is false
but a nearer analogy would be a traveller turning up in time
and being told that they had run enough trains that day and the rail firm would not carry them and quite honestly they should go home and stay there and not travel at all

( I dont like analogies as they dont add anything )

[Peter Pedant]

// If the crowds drove the polling staff insane by all turning up at once and demanding attention, and there was no one left to run the poll, then for sure I'd blame the voters there.//

didnt that happen in the last election in one station ?
a whole load turned up at 10 pm
and squealed loudly to be told they couldnt vote ?

[THECORBYLOON]

The Statutory Instrument extending the deadline applies only to Great Britain and not Ulster. What are Ulster folk meant to do then?

[Mamyalynne]

The website crashing didn't affect them as they couldn't register online I believe.

[Mamyalynne]

//The extension to the deadline covers everywhere apart from Northern Ireland, where the online system was not in use.//

[THECORBYLOON]

Thanks for that MAMY.

The Electoral Commission said, "We note that the Order now tabled for approval by Parliament would apply only in Great Britain, and no longer includes provision to extend the deadline for registration applications in Northern Ireland.
We support this Order and recommend that Parliament should approve it. The UK
Government should explain why it has decided not to introduce legislation to extend the
deadline in Northern Ireland."

Since they weren't aware that Ulster folk hadn't been registering online, I am in good company.