DERBY'S old Victorian system of registering to vote will be replaced this summer in a bid to make it "more secure".
The current system assumes that the head of the household will provide details of any resident who is eligible to vote.
But critics says this is an approach that is open to error and abuse, diminishing the accuracy of the Government's data and undermining confidence in the electoral register.
The new system of Individual Electoral Registration will make each individual, across the country, responsible for registering themselves.
Over the summer, all Derby residents will receive a letter through the post telling them about the change, dubbed the biggest change to the electoral registration system in nearly a century.
Derby's Electoral Registration Officer will write to all of the city's 248,700 residents.
The letter will explain that a new, more secure, system is being introduced to replace the old Victorian system.
Many Derby residents will automatically move on to the new electoral register. Some will need to take action to join or remain on it, which they will be able to do for the first time by registering quickly and easily online. Janie Berry, electoral registration officer, said: "Derby residents will receive a letter soon that will explain the change to the electoral registration system. Look out for the letter as it will tell you if you have been automatically transferred to the new register or not.
"If you have not been transferred, you will need to provide some additional information and the letter will tell you exactly what you need to do."
An Electoral Commission spokeswoman said the organisation had been calling for the change since 2003.
She said: "The legislation providing for it was initially introduced by the last Government, which was followed up by the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 introduced by the current Government.
"It's the most significant change to our electoral system for over a century, abolishing the old outdated system of household registration and introducing a more secure, personalised approach."
For more information visit www.gov.uk/yourvotematters. If someone does not receive a letter they should contact the city council's elections team on 01332 640837 or e-mail elections@derby.gov.uk.
