16/05/2003

Westminster seat boundaries up for review

Northern Ireland's 18 Westminster election boundaries are to be reviewed due to a drop in the number of people living in Belfast.

In its first review in eight years, the Boundary Commission announced a review of Belfast's seat boundaries.

In 1995, the number of Westminster seats in Northern Ireland was increased from 17 to 18.

However the areas will again be examined by the Boundary Commission because of dwindling numbers in Northern Ireland's capital.

With the number of voters in all four Belfast constituencies well below the average figure, the commission is set to consider a number of options.

These include extending the boundaries of all four seats, or turning the four constituencies into three.

The commission is expected to take its time before reaching any conclusions with a final decision set to be taken by 2005, which may be prior to the next Westminster election.

(MB)

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