registration policy to replace annual registration.

Such a policy could save Bermuda taxpayers $1 million in seven years, party spokesperson Ms Cheryl Pooley said.

"Every year Bermudian taxpayers are burdened with the cost of annual voters registration,'' she said.

"Last year we paid over $152,000 to perform this unnecessary, laborious and expensive task. This cost of annually registering voters goes up by approximately $10,000 each year.'' Noting that both Opposition parties and the public have called on the Government to scrap annual registration, Ms Pooley said: "They are using this yearly method of registering to vote as a political vehicle at the expense and detriment of the voting taxpayer.

"Considering that we are presently faced with a recession, this alone should be an incentive for Government to cut costs.'' She said converting the annual registration system to "once a lifetime'' would only require minor, inexpensive changes to keep accurate records of people who move, get married, become eligible to vote, or die.

The NLP also reminded the voting public that they must send in their voter registration forms before the end of March, if they wish to vote in an election called after July.

"If the election is called before June 15, only those people that registered in 1992 will be able to vote,'' Ms Pooley added.

"This year's general election is the most important in the history of the NLP,'' she added.

"For all those Bermudians that support a positive and constructive change and are tired of the two-party system, then this is the year to vote for a third party and keep the hope alive.'' The National Liberal Party will hold its annual general meeting at the Peace Lutherian Church in Paget, on Thursday at 8 p.m.

A complimentary buffet dinner takes place at 6.30 p.m. All members are urged to attend because of the probability of this being an election year.