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Elections: Northern Ireland

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Peter Hain) has made the following Ministerial Statement. The Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland, Douglas Bain, is responsible for all aspects of electoral administration in Northern Ireland, including the conduct of all elections and referendums, as well as electoral registration. In accordance with Section 14 of the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962, as amended by Section 9 of the Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006, the chief electoral officer is required to submit an annual report to the Secretary of State. I am pleased to announce that the annual report of the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland for 2005-06 has been laid before Parliament today. Copies are available in the Library.