The number of polling stations in Northern Ireland is to be increased by a fifth for the forthcoming assembly elections, it has been announced.

The move follows complaints by Ulster's political parties that a number of people were disenfranchised at the last poll two years ago.

As a result, nearly 300 extra polling stations will be opened to voters on 26 November.

Up to 30 extra buildings will also be used, employing additional staff for the count.

"The idea is to ensure that each polling station, each presiding officer and ballot box has somewhere around 800 to 900 electors going to that ballot box," said chief electoral officer Denis Stanley.

"This should ensure that when people appear at the polling station they don't have to wait unduly long.

"They can get a quick turnaround, they can get their vote cast and get out again and get back to whatever it is that they need to do."

At present, there are over a million people registered to vote in Northern Ireland, an eight per cent drop since the 2001 poll.