Just a week remains for voters to register before the elections on May 7.

Residents who will be aged 18 or over on 7 May have less than a week to ensure they are registered to vote in this year’s national and local elections.

The election for the Saffron Walden constituency will be combined with the election of all 39 district and 442 parish and town councillors throughout Uttlesford.

A change to the electoral registration system now places the onus on individuals to register themselves. The new system – called Individual Electoral Registration – is intended to ensure greater security for voter registration by requiring applicants to supply their national insurance number and date of birth.

The majority of electors have been registered automatically, but some categories are underrepresented on the register.

Those residents who may not be registered are:

- Anyone who has moved house during 2014 or early this year and has not already registered under IER

- Young people who are already 18 or who will become 18 during this year

- Students, or anyone working away from home for lengthy periods

Peter Snow, Democratic and Electoral Services Manager at Uttlesford District Council, said: “The deadline to register to vote in the elections is Monday April 20. You will not be able to vote if you register after this date.

“Registering online is an easy process – it takes just five minutes and simply requires your date of birth and national insurance number.”

If you are not registered, go to gov.uk/register-to-vote. Anyone who is unsure if they are registered, has questions about registering to vote or who wishes to complete a hard copy of the form, should contact elections@uttlesford.gov.uk or call the Elections team on 01799 510300 or 510554.