from Sunday Herald, 09 January 2005
Over 50,000 people will be robbed of the chance to help decide on Scotland's first traffic congestion charging scheme unless they register to vote in the next few days.
A problem with Edinburgh's electoral roll means that 16% of potential voters could be deprived of a say in next month's referendum on the local authority's plan to charge motorists £2 a day for entering the city.
The scheme, which follows the successful introduction of congestion charging in London, is aimed at encouraging public transport and cutting pollution, as well as reducing peak hour congestion. But it has been strongly opposed by local residents unwilling to pay more to drive, and neighbouring local authorities.
But now confusion over registration amongst Edinburgh's 337,610 potential voters could damage the democratic credibility of the referendum. The outcome is likely to be decided by a majority of less than the 50,000 missing voters.
This has prompted a raft of calls for Edinburgh residents to check that they are entitled to vote before this Friday's deadline (14 Jan). "This vote is of crucial importance to the future of Edinburgh," said the city council's transport leader, Councillor Andrew Burns.
"Tackling congestion is necessary to not only ensure that we meet targets for environmental issues such as air quality, but also to protect and enhance the economic success that Edinburgh has enjoyed in recent years. I would encourage everyone who is entitled to a vote to make sure they have it and that they use it."
The problem has arisen because when people were registered on the latest electoral roll, they were given the option to tick a box saying they didn't want their details passed on to third parties. Many thousands of people, anxious to avoid junk mail, ticked the box.
Unfortunately this means that their names and addresses cannot be made available to Edinburgh City Council, which is conducting the referendum by postal ballot. In order to get a ballot paper, they have to apply individually to the council before the 14th January.
The council has distributed 300,000 'use your vote' leaflets, and urges residents unsure of their position to ring 0131 529 4877 between 8 am and 8 pm, Monday to Friday. Emails can also be sent to [email protected].
"It is critical for those who want to see better transport and less pollution to make sure that by Friday they're registered on the ballot," said Andrea Elderfield from pro-congestion charging coalition, Yes to Edinburgh.
"No one has come up with any credible alternative to the city council's plans. Those that argue for a 'no' vote in the referendum are calling for increased congestion delays, a more polluted city, and worsened transport services."
The nascent 'no' campaign is also urging people to check that they are registered to vote. "The charge will not address the congestion issue in any way and is nothing more than another trick for Edinburgh City Council to steal more of our money," said a spokesman for No Congestion Charge.
The legitimacy of the referendum is also being challenged by Fife, Midlothian and West Lothian councils, but for different reasons. They argue that it is unfair to exempt Edinburgh residents who live outside the congestion charging boundary from payment, when residents of other councils will have to pay.
On Friday the three councils were granted a legal hearing at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, which could place this week. The referendum is due to be conducted between 7 and 21 February, and the result announced on 22 February.
