Government MP Wayne Furbert believes registrar Randy Scott was "off base" to blame large numbers of wrongly registered voters on politicians' failure to get into their constituencies.

And Bermuda Democratic Alliance Leader Craig Cannonier backed United Bermuda Party MP John Barritt's bill which would give Mr. Scott power to strike incorrectly registered voters from the list.

They were responding to Mr. Scott's claim that political parties must be more active in their constituencies to help put right an estimated 2,000 wrongly registered voters.

Mr. Scott last night stressed he is uncomfortable with the idea of striking voters from the register — and says politicians are given registration forms to obtain details from people they meet who have switched areas.

But Hamilton West MP Mr. Furbert argued MPs are not able to do anything about people who have moved out of their constituencies but remain registered there.

"I think Randy was off base because, at the end of the day, politicians canvass," said Mr. Furbert.

"The problem is not putting people on the register, it's trying to get people off the register.

"What's been carrying out in many constituencies is that people are registered in wrong districts, but there's no means to get them off."

Mr. Furbert said he had been involved in discussions over the subject during his time in the UBP, which has long called for electoral reform.

Some in the Progressive Labour Party, which Mr. Furbert joined earlier this year, say the focus should be on ensuring as many people can vote as possible; in recent elections people have been allowed to vote in the constituency they're registered in, even if they don't live there any more.

Asked whether he would support Mr. Barritt's Parliamentary Election Amendment Act, Mr. Furbert said: "I have to discuss it within caucus and go from there. I think there's some validity to John's argument.

"I just think it's possible that there's something we can do."

Mr. Cannonier said in a statement yesterday: "Certainly Mr. Scott's comments are well received. Politicians should know their constituents and should know whether voters in their constituency are properly registered.

"However, the truth is that we have people who live in one constituency yet are registered and vote in another."

Mr. Scott estimates about five percent of voters are incorrectly registered, but the Voters' Rights Association has said the figure could be as high as 13 percent.

"This is rather startling when you consider just a handful of votes can swing an election in a constituency," said Mr. Cannonier.

"There's no argument that justifies not doing the right thing. That would be disingenuous. I believe that Mr. Barritt is simply trying to find a better way and should be commended for this. Obviously, what we are currently doing is not working well.

"In addition, we believe there should be a wholesale voter re-registration, perhaps once every four years, so that the most updated register is used at an election. One man, one correct vote — we will not accept anything less."

Mr. Scott said yesterday: "I get very concerned when I hear people talk about striking voters off the register. Based solely on residency in a constituency, you are either qualified to be on the register or you are not qualified.

"Being registered in a constituency in which you may no longer reside in is not cause in my mind to remove one from the register. The act is quite explicit in regards to one's entitlement to vote. I am sure there is a better way in handling this matter of voter registrations."

PLP backbencher Dale Butler, another who has pointed to inadequacies in the system, said: "I send in numerous names so I am doing my part."

Mr. Barritt added yesterday: "My complaint and concern is about the people who remain on the register but who do not live at the address and in the constituency where they are shown as registered.

"I have brought the names of these people to Mr. Scott's attention over the years, but they remain on the register.

"That cannot be right. I have no idea where they are of course, whether they have moved to another constituency or off Island, but I am certain that they do not live at that address.

"I think that over the years it has become clear to me that the system isn't working like it was hoped and it needs to be fixed. It is not good enough to simply rely on the political parties or to blame them for incorrect and improper registrations, and do nothing about what you know to be a problem, and wrong.

"Let's have a solution — which is what the amendment which I have introduced seeks to do." He said his bill is modelled on a provision that was ditched when Bermuda moved to annual registration — but not brought back when annual registration was dropped.

"There is no intention here to disenfranchise voters as has been claimed," he added. "Voters to whom you send notice, whether by prepaid mail or through the newspaper, can come in and re-register at their correct address. There is no punishment for having been incorrectly registered."