AS the returning officer for Bradford Council, Kersten England is aware of the importance of the democratic process.

And that isn’t solely down to her profession. “My grandmother didn’t have the vote until she was an adult woman and so many fought for that right to vote and it is the most precious thing about being part of the British society.

“My father was a refugee for four years during the Second World War. I know what democracy brings and why it is so precious. People who can vote should be registering to vote,” says Kersten.

Although there is currently a lack of election activity, the profile on democracy has never been greater. Suffragette, the film currently showing in cinemas, focuses on the members of the women’s organisations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who through frustration with their social and economic situations were willing to lose everything to fight for equality.

The tireless and often violent campaign led by the suffragettes is another reason why today’s women, in particular, should make every effort to vote.

The recent “European Local Democracy Week”, held every year, also raises the profile on democracy to develop a greater understanding.

Participating local authorities in all Council of Europe member states organise national and local events to increase knowledge and understanding and generally raise the profile of the democratic process.

But Kersten is particularly keen to get the message across to the voters in Bradford district following the introduction of the Individual Electoral Registration system.

Most people who had already registered to vote before June 2014 had their names and addresses checked against Government records. Those who were confirmed were automatically transferred to the new register without having to take action.

Under the new system, instead of using a household form to register to vote, every individual in a household is now responsible for registering their own right to vote. Previously, one family member completed a registration form for everyone in the household.

Any person who is applying to register now needs to provide their National Insurance Number and date of birth. This is used to verify that the person making the application is who they say they are and will in turn reduce the risk of fraud and inaccurate entries on the register.

The system is designed to deliver a secure and modern way of registering that improves the accuracy and completeness of the register by verifying entries to DWP records. Where entries cannot be confirmed, or new electors are added, legislation requires follow-up activity and further proof of identity to be provided by individuals.

However, noticeably, the level of voters registering in Bradford has dropped – according to Kersten, who is keen to encourage householders to register.

Responses have been received from 125,699 households, equating to a 59 per cent return rate compared with the normal 79/80 per cent. This is a similar level to other areas across South and West Yorkshire at this stage in the process. As this is the first full registration process under the new IER system there is no comparable process and it is not possible to predict the outcome.

“We are not getting people on the register who are entitled to vote and that is not a democracy,” she says.

Kersten believes it may be because people are having to register individually and they have to provide more details, but she says the new system makes it more “personal”.

“It makes it more personal for each individual; you know you are entitled to vote and it is in the front of your mind rather than mum or dad doing it for you.”

To help people become more familiar with the process, Kersten says they are putting a video on Youtube demonstrating how to fill the form in.

“It is about getting used to change and change happens all the time; the way we do our banking, renew our tax discs, it is all done online and this form can be submitted online,” says Kersten.

“It is part of your right as citizens but also your responsibility as citizens and we are here to help if you are struggling at all to get the form done. We want to make it as easy as possible.”

* For more information call the Electoral Services team on (01274) 432287 or email electoralservices@bradford.gov.uk Online registration is available at gov.uk/register-to-vote.