The number of people in Bradford registering their details on the district’s electoral roll has increased slightly, but householders in almost 14,000 properties remain disenfranchised.

A total of 93.41 per cent of households in the district responded to requests to update the electoral register this year – an increase from 92 per cent in 2009 – but 13,774 households did not reply.

Susan Saunders, Bradford Council’s electoral services manager, said the authority was committed to ensuring everyone who was eligible to vote was registered to do so.

She said: “The electoral register is the foundation stone of our democracy and we have a duty to ensure it is as accurate and complete as possible.

“Every household is sent up to three letters requesting they update their details for the electoral register. Areas of low response rate are canvassed, statements are issued to the press and advertisements are placed in the local media encouraging residents to make sure they are on the electoral register.

“A final notice is also sent to all households where no response is received and people’s names are to be removed from the register, to notify them and give another opportunity to register.

“People who do not respond and end up being removed from the register not only lose their right to vote but can face other difficulties as a result.

“For example, opening bank accounts, or purchasing things on credit becomes harder as the electoral register is one of the first sources used by credit agencies on which decisions to lend may be based.”

Barbara Lines, the Electoral Commission’s regional manager for the north of England office, said: “In May next year, voters in Bradford will get to decide who represents them on Bradford Council.

“But they will only get the chance to have their say if they are on the electoral register. For those residents that didn’t return their annual canvass form, it is not too late.

“You can print off a registration form from aboutmyvote. co.uk or by contacting the Council. It’s a simple form that only takes a few minutes, so we’d urge Telegraph & Argus readers to do it now.”

Almost 336,000 people are on the district’s electoral roll.