NI voters may be given the opportunity to register anonymously

Northern Ireland voters may be given the opportunity to register anonymously.

NIO Minister David Hanson today put forward the plans to introduce an anonymous voter registration system to the province to help protect people who were still living under the threat of paramilitary violence.

The bill proposes that the measure be introduced though an Order in Council.

MP's were today told that the criteria for the anonymous registration would be drawn up as soon as possible, however, it will not be used to simply protect privacy.

The NIO Minister said: "Domestic violence might be a criteria, it may be to do with threats of intimidation, it may be to do with the break-in at Castlereagh for example, there are a whole range of issues that we want to consider."

Mr Hanson added: "I will hope to very shortly undertake a consultation on who should be eligible for anonymous registration, how that registration will apply and what criteria will be brought into play."

DUP deputy leader Peter Robinson today expressed his concerns about the new scheme, saying that those who feared for the safety of their families and not offered anonymity, may choose to forfeit their vote.

The idea of anonymous registration has gained widespread support throughout the main Northern Ireland political parties, however, some politicians have suggested that they are unhappy with the plan to introduce the scheme here by an Order in Council.

Representatives from the Unionist parties, along with Liberal Democrat spokesman Lembit Opik, have called for the provision to be included in the Electoral Administration Bill currently being considered by the Lords.

Mr Hanson said that he understands these concerns, but said that nothing has yet been officially decided and procedures are still being considered.

He said: "We're clear that only genuinely vulnerable individuals should be able to benefit from such a scheme.

"The citizens of Northern Ireland should have the same rights as citizens in the rest of the United Kingdom.

(EF/SP)