SIR,

Local elections are being held across Wales on 3rd May 2012, and now is the last chance for everyone to ensure that they can take part in these important elections by registering to vote by Thursday 18th April.

Our research shows that 44 per cent of people who are not registered to vote mistakenly believe they are.

Those particularly at risk of losing the chance to have their say are people who have moved house since last autumn, and younger people.

Registering to vote is a simple process. Go to http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk">www.aboutmyvote.co.uk and print off a registration form (which is also available by contacting the local authority electoral services department).

At local elections anyone aged 18 and over can vote if they are a British, Irish, qualifying Commonwealth or European Union citizen – and are on the electoral register by 18th April.

Our message is: it's your vote, don't lose it.

Kay Jenkins

(Head of Electoral Commission in Wales)