A record number of Bermudians have registered to vote, according to the Parliamentary Registry yesterday.

And 1,400 of them are first time voters. The registry completed its first count just five days after closing off the registration period for the coming election.

Of a total of 39,590 eligible voters, 39,250 or 99.1 percent - have registered to vote in the July 24 poll, parliamentary registrar Sabrina Phillips said.

Mrs. Phillips confirmed the figures were the highest recorded yet. She could not give a breakdown of the first time voters by age.

“Quite a few of those had just turned 18 but we did also find an interesting mix of older people and quite a few people who recently got status,” she said.

“I'm very encouraged by the 18 year old group that have registered or whose parents have registered them on their behalf. We recognised that that was the group that was lagging behind last year based on birth records but now they have come to the wicket.”

As of May, 96.6 percent (37,800) of eligible voters were registered. Hundreds of locals went online or checked in at the Parliamentary Registry on Reid Street to make sure they were properly registered during the final registration period last week.

Mrs. Phillips said she was “very surprised” at the response.

“I really didn't expect people to be that gung ho. If what we see is any indication of what the poll turnout is going to be then we can expect a good turnout at the poll.”

The list is now being sent to the printers before being finally published tomorrow.

“We're actually doing a test run of the register. We're sending the files to the printers to do a test run for us, to make sure that everything looks in order.”

Mrs. Phillips reminded voters to check that their details on the registry are correct when the revised list comes out tomorrow. The list will be on display at Island post office, police stations, the Bermuda Library, the Department of Communication and Information and the Parliamentary Registry office. It can also be checked online at www.elections.gov.bm. Residents will have until Thursday, July 3 to look over the list and notify the Parliamentary Registrar of any discrepancies. “After this seven day period the voters registration will be final for the next General Election,” she said.

“I want to encourage members of the public who took the time to either register to vote or change their registration particulars last week, to view this current register to ensure that their information is accurate. If there are any inaccuracies or queries, then they should notify our office in writing and deposit the sum of $5 for each objection before July 3, 2003, as this is the deadline.”

After July 3 the register will be updated for the last time.

Advance polling for the election will take place on July 17 at the Seventh Day Adventist church on King Street between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Eligible voters who will be off the Island on election day must apply for a certificate of absence from the Parliamentary Registry office, and provide confirmation of their travel plans.

The certificates of absence can be applied for from Monday July 14 to Thursday July 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (or 8 p.m. Thursday).

Voters who are incapacitated can also vote in the advance poll but they must first get a medical certificate from the Chief Medical Officer. Medical certificates will be issued at the Hamilton Health Centre, Victoria Street, from Monday July 14 through Thursday July 17 from 9 a.m. until 12. p.m.