Voters have until 5 p.m. today to ensure they are properly registered to cast a ballot paper in the forthcoming General Election.

Parliamentary registrar Randy Scott yesterday reminded the electorate that if they have not yet registered or have changed their details since the last election four years ago they need to act quickly.

Eligible voters are Bermudians (either by birth or status) over the age of 18 and ordinarily resident in Bermuda or non-Bermudian Commonwealth citizens registered to vote on May 1, 1976.

Those who still need to register or amend details should visit www.elections.gov.bm, the Parliamentary Registry office in the Valerie T. Scott Building at 60 Reid Street, Hamilton or any post office or Police station.

A voters' register will shortly be published for public viewing. Voters are being encouraged to check this online, at the registry or at any post office to make sure their details are correct. For more information on voting call 293-8638.

Last night, the Premier and his Chief of Staff Wayne Caines urged young voters at a Progressive Labour Party meeting at the Anglican Cathedral to exercise their suffrage on December 18.

They were joined by Hott 107.5 FM radio DJ Thaao Dill at the event, during which 77 parliamentary forms were filled out, with 40 of them by new voters.

Mr. Dill, 25, explained that he didn't vote in the last election because he was a journalist working at ZBM.

But he said seeing former schoolmate Davida Morris appointed to the Senate had encouraged him to become more politically involved.

"Getting involved is so fundamentally important," he said. "It doesn't matter who you vote for or what part of the day you do it in or what constituency you reside in. Your vote can really determine what members of parliament occupy the House."

Mr. Caines — PLP candidate for Hamilton South and a Senator in the last Government — said he had met far too many young people not interested in politics while out canvassing.

"You have to understand that the right to vote is a privilege," said the 37-year-old. "You should hold us all accountable. If you feel that the person you gave your vote to should meet a certain standard, you force them to meet that standard."

He added: "We can all feel a part of the system by voting."

Premier Ewart Brown told young people at the meeting: "You have much more going for you than most of the people around me had going when I was coming up. It's confidence I want you to gain; it's yours for the taking."