The district council is working on the campaign in partnership with Arun, Adur and Worthing councils.

The advertisements will appear on Stagecoach buses – designed to remind people of the importance of returning electoral registration forms.

These are currently being sent out to more than 53,000 households across the Chichester district.

New legislation means if they are not returned on time the electoral registration officer's staff have the right to visit non- responding households to collect them in person.

John Marsland, district council chief executive and electoral registration officer, said many people did not realise the register had to be updated annually, and there was no guarantee names would be carried forward from last year's register.

"We are urging people not to put the forms to one side but to check and confirm their details and return them in the prepaid envelope provided, so that they do not get forgotten," he added.

"If the details on the form are correct, you can use the telephone or internet registration system instead.

"If you do not return your form, an electoral registration canvasser will be knocking on your door asking you to complete the form.

"This costs the council money so help us to keep costs down by returning your form promptly."

Mr Marsland said: "If your name is not on the register you will not be able to vote in the county and European elections to be held next year and you will have no say in any of the important decisions which are made both locally and nationally.

"Unfortunately, many young people fail to register and so do not have a say at election time.

"When their children reach 16 or 17, parents should make sure they add them to the registration form so they are able to vote as soon as they turn 18."

Completed forms should be returned to the council as soon as possible – there is no need to wait until the October 15 deadline.

Anyone who has not received a form by August 31 should contact electoral services on 01243 534592.



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