UP to 40% of people in Ellesmere Port wards will not be voting in the local elections – because they’re not on the electoral roll.

In some streets in the town 40% of residents are not on the electoral roll and will not cast their votes on May 5.

The register in Ellesmere Port town ward as a whole has 20% of properties missing and at Langley Court nearly half of residents are not going to be able to vote – 40% are off the roll.

Cllr Justin Madders said: “I don’t know how the council can fail to notice up to 40% of people in a street no longer appear on the electoral register.

“I don’t know if it’s incompetence or deliberate but surely this number of people cannot just disappear.

“If this is repeated across the borough, thousands of people have disappeared.

“It's a basic function of the local authority to ensure the democratic process is accessible to all and they have manifestly failed to do this which is why we are asking for a full independent enquiry across the borough into this.”

Cllr Bateman said: “Cheshire West and Chester Council officers had outlined the process that they would follow last year in following up none return of registration forms.

“This included checking against the council tax record for that address, writing to the residents stating they would be removed from the register unless they responded and a knock on the door.

“We have already written to the chief executive for a response and awaiting a reply.

“It’s hard to accept that any action has been taken with such large numbers of people missing off the register.

Council spokesman Ian Callister said: “It is, of course, the responsibility of the individual to complete the electoral registration form.

“We are completely satisfied that the authority has met all its obligations with regard to compiling the electoral register.”

Mr Callister said an original letter was sent out to all properties in September 2010. This was followed by a reminder in October, if no return had been received – and, if still necessary, two follow-up visits by canvassers.

During the run-up to the elections the authority, through media releases, had also encouraged electors in West Cheshire to register their vote.

Mr Callister added: “We understand that in some cases no electoral registration returns have been received for several years from properties in the areas mentioned.”

Responses have been received from 86.89% of properties in the borough following the canvas.

This year’s registration process was discussed on several occasions with political group leaders and the council does not believe that is any justification for an independent enquiry.

Mr Callister added: “If the form is not completed after the authority has done everything possible to encourage registration then that is beyond the council’s control.”

Properties not on the register include:

Brancepeth Court – eight out of 40.

Croft Court – 15 out of 40.

Conway Court – 12 out of 55.

Langley Court 21 out of 52.

Dundee Court – 6 out of 17.

Raby Court – 12 out of 38.

Richmond Court – 12 out of 37.

Stokesay Court – 10 out of 39.

Ashfield Road – 16 out of 40.

Briarfield Road – 7 out of 29.

Oldfield Road – 19 out of 65.

Priestfield Road – 14 out of 22.