An East Lancashire MP has called for the government to give tax breaks or extra benefits to entice people to sign up on the electoral register.
Gordon Prentice, who represents Pendle, raised the point during a debate about electoral reform in the House of Commons.
He admitted that some thought it was a slightly eccentric idea.
He said: "Perhaps they could be given tax breaks, or additions to benefits if they are in receipt of a pension or other benefit entitlements."
It followed the revelation by Bridget Prentice, constitutional affairs minister and Mr Prentice's former wife, that around 3.5million people are not registered to vote.
She said the government was not planning to introduce his ideas but would have another look at them.
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