The new electoral register for Northern Ireland was published on Monday, revealing a reduction in voters of more than 28,000.

It follows changes to the method of registration introduced in 2002, in a bid to combat electoral fraud.

Whereas in the past each household received one form, now each person has to register individually.

A report by the Electoral Commission in December highlighted the disadvantages to young people, students, those living in poorer areas and those with disabilities as a result of the changes.

It also called for a review of the special hearings procedure for those wanting to add their names to the register, a system unique to Northern Ireland.

Although thousands of people wanting their names added were asked to attend hearings, less than half actually turned up, suggesting they were put off by their "semi-judicial nature".

Not too late to register

Ulster's chief electoral officer, Denis Stanley, insisted that there was still time for voters to register.

"We are very anxious to target people, such as young people, who perhaps haven't been on the register before - coming up to 18 - to get them on," he said.

"We are also keen to look to people who perhaps come from a disadvantaged background, or people who don't have English as their first language or have literacy problems.

"We want to look at all of those people and encourage anyone who should be on the register to get their names down as quickly as possible."