Youth apathy and the fear of being drafted into the Regiment were topics of debate as the Election Registry was discussed in the Senate.

Senator David Burch read out head 63, which tabled the Parliamentary Registrar budget for 2008/2009, which will receive $709,000.

The amount was down from last year because the election in December had increased the services provided by the registrar.

What concerned UBP Senator Michael Dunkley was the election boundaries, how people are registered and the scrutineers system, which he said was not working as effectively as it could be.

He raised concern that one of his colleagues was 'chucked' out of a government building during election time, but the PLP candidate was able to canvas the building.

He said: "Who is able to register? From reports I have been given the system is not working as effectively as it could be."

To which Sen. Burch replied: "How did we get from the budget to that election that you people lost?"

Finally Sen. Dunkley raised concerns he had heard from teenagers about being drafted into the Regiment if they registered to vote.

PLP Senator Wayne Caines said it was less a fear of the Regiment and probably more an apathy that pervades.

He said: "I do think that one of the reasons the number of young people do find themselves unregistered is apathy. A number of people were just not interested. You have to will yourself to get involved."

PLP Senator Walton Brown said Bermuda was a strong democracy and changes made in the Parliamentary Registry reflected that.

He said: "We have a strong democracy. We have made some fundamental changes. We have had between 75 percent and 80 percent turnout.

"(Regarding) People in the constituency - there will always be changes over time and that's why the primary (thing) is to review those numbers."

And after UBP Senator Gina Spence-Farmer raised the question of Regiment using the election registry to recruit young men, Sen. Burch asked if she told them it wasn't true.

Sen. Burch also promised that steps were being taken to allow the public to register to vote while also updating their licenses at the Transport Control Department, thereby "removing some of the bureaucracy".

Further Senate reports on page 8.