Making sure you can vote:

With the general election coming on May 7 it’s important to make sure you are registered to vote. I also explained, last week, that not being on the electoral register is very damaging to your credit rating, and will make it difficult to get credit. Last year the way people actually register was changed, so that everyone needs to make their own registration, this is called ‘Individual Electoral Registration’.

It is also a legal requirement to register to vote if you are eligible.

You can register if you are 16 or older (but can’t vote until you are 18), are a British citizen, or under special rules, an Irish citizen, or a qualifying common wealth or European Union citizen living in the UK. For a list of these qualifying countries and the extra conditions you should go to www.salford.gov.uk/electoralregister.

If you are a student living away from home you can register at both your home and term time address. Registering to vote at both addresses means you will have a choice where to vote.

If you do not have a fixed or settled address you can still register to vote. You will need to make what is called ‘a declaration of local connection’. If this applies then speak to the council directly on 0161 909 6560.

In order to register you will need to give your national insurance number, and your date of birth. This is to make the register more reliable, and to avoid people getting more than one vote!

You can register on line by going to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

You can also opt out of what is called the ‘open register’. This is the version of the electoral register which is sold to businesses etc. for marketing purposes.

In Salford if you want to opt out of the open register you can do this when you register, or by contacting the council, who is responsible for the register. You can phone them on 0161 909 6560, or write to Electoral Services, Salford City Council, Chorley Road, Swinton, M27 5DA; or go on line at www.salford.gov/electoralregister.

You need to be registered 12 working days before any election to be eligible to vote.

If you have any problems, we are here to help you.

For help from Salford Citizens Advice visit your local bureau in Eccles, Irlam and Cadishead, Salford City, Swinton, Walkden or at Salford Royal.

Telephone our advice line: 0844 826 9695 (if calling from a landline or if calling from a mobile 0300 456 2554), which is open on Saturdays.

You can also follow us on Twitter for regular news and advice updates, or by going to www.salfordadvice.org.uk you can find out about all the advice services in Salford, which have come together to make getting advice easier, or visit our web site at www.salfordcab.org.uk.

Tom Togher.