EU referendum: Deadline to register to vote extended by 48 hours

The extension come as the registration website crashed before the deadline

There have been technological issues with the registration website (REX Features)

The deadline to register to vote in the European Union referendum has been extended following technical problems with the registration service.

Voters will be able to sign up to the electoral register until midnight on Thursday 9 June.

The previous deadline had been midnight on Tuesday June 7.

The GOV.UK website service however ground to a halt just after 10pm under the “unprecedented” weight of people registering to vote.

The problems prompted Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron to call for the cut-off to be extended.

The Electoral Commission this morning said the deadline should be brought back and that any required legislation should be passed.

At Prime Minister’s Questions this morning David Cameron said he wanted to extend the deadline and was considering how to do so.

Gloria De Piero MP, Labour's Shadow Minister for Voter Registration, described last night’s event as “chaos”.

“We welcome the Government’s decision to listen to Labour’s call to extend the deadline for voter registration.

“Following the chaos of last night, tens of thousands of people will be relieved that they will have a say in this crucial vote.

“We urge everyone who thinks they are not on the register to get back on that website and have their say.”

The European Union referendum will take place on 23 June. Polls suggest a narrowing race with an average slight lead for the Remain campaign.

You have

 

Days

 

Hours

 

Minutes

 

Seconds

left to register