A NATIONAL campaign to ensure residents don’t miss out on their chance to vote in upcoming elections this year is underway.

The national voter registration drive has been launched today to encourage people to go online to register to vote.

Voters in Powys are due to go the polls on May 5 when elections to the National Assembly for Wales and to elect the Dyfed Powys police and crime commissioner will be held. Anyone who isn’t registered to vote won’t be able to take part and have their say.

The deadline to register to vote in these elections is Monday, April 18.

Jeremy Patterson, electoral registration officer for Powys, said: "Anyone not yet registered to vote should do so as soon as possible so they can have their say on issues that affect their day-to-day lives.

"I’d urge people living in Powys to use national voter registration drive to spread the message amongst family and friends that it only takes a few minutes to complete the form and register to vote online."

Rhydian Thomas, head of Wales office at the Electoral Commission, said:" National voter registration drive exists because it’s important that anyone who’s eligible, but has not yet registered, does so. It’s easy and quick to do online. Young people, students and people who move frequently are much less likely to be registered to vote."

¦ To register online visit: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Powys residents can get a paper copy of the registration form by contacting the electoral registration office on 01597 826717.