THE deadline for people to register to vote has hit the city and all parts of the UK today.

Candidates for Southampton Itchen are now calling on residents to register to vote by midnight ahead of the December General Election.

There has been a total of 2.8m applications in the UK to register to vote since the election was called.

For the 2017 election, 712,669 out of an estimated population of 1.05 million registered to vote across constituencies in south Hampshire, including Gosport, Fareham, Meon Valley, Winchester, Romsey and Southampton North, New Forest East and West, Southampton Test and Itchen.

This year, a total of 65,784 residents are eligible to vote in the Romsey and Southampton North constituency alone.

However, the Electoral Commission said one in seven people in the South East are not registered to vote.

Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Southampton Itchen, Royston Smith, said: “I would encourage everyone to register to vote.

“It is good that we live in a country where we have the ability to vote.

“So everyone get in the polling stations to vote on December 12.”

Liz Jarvis, Liberal Democrats Parliamentary candidate for Southampton Itchen, said: “This is the most important election of our lifetimes, not just because of Brexit but for the future of the NHS, our schools and the environment.

“It’s vital that everyone registers to vote if you haven’t done so already, so your voice can be heard.”

Labour Parliamentary candidate for Southampton Itchen, Simon Letts, said: “Registering to vote is absolutely every citizen’s right.

“This election is the most important election to happen in 50 years. It only takes a couple of minutes to register to vote, and by doing that you can be part of the democratic process.”

Mark Heath, the Returning Officer responsible for running elections in Southampton, said: “I encourage residents who are not yet registered to vote to do so immediately today, the statutory deadline of 26 November, to ensure they can take part in the forthcoming elections.

“Registering to vote is easy and only takes a few minutes online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. If you’re not registered you won’t be able to have your say on issues that directly affect your day-to-day life in Southampton.

“If you don’t know if you are registered or not, you should call 023 8083 2245 or e-mail elections@southampton.gov.uk today, to check before registering again.”

To register to vote by midnight, visit gov.uk/register-to-vote.