The Parliamentary Registrar has defended his staff from accusations the voters' register is inaccurate.

The Registrar, Randy Scott, sent an 'open letter to the electorate of Bermuda' to this newspaper following allegations by the Opposition that more than 100 former residents of Pembroke East Central were still eligible to vote in last week's by-election.

In the wake of the by-election, where Progressive Labour Party's Michael Weeks won by a landslide, Opposition leader Kim Swan raised concerns that discrepancies could have an impact on elections in key marginal constituencies.

But yesterday, Mr. Scott said his staff worked hard to ensure its accuracy and in recent years have also undertaken the work of scrutineers.

While his department could not be expected to "canvass the entire Island", Mr. Scott said that since the annual register was published on June 15, the Parliamentary Registry had not received a single objection or registration form from any political party.

"Additionally, when the seat of the late Minister Nelson Bascome became vacant again there was an opportunity for the parties to make submissions to my office," Mr. Scott said. "There were none."

He continued: "What I find disturbing about these allegations is the fact that the scrutineer system of canvassing is well known within both political parties and many members of the general public.

"The Act clearly states that scrutineers are appointed each year for the purposes of assisting the Registrar. In recent years my office has had to supplement the work which should be done by the scrutineers, such as: mailing detail registration forms; letters to occupants of new housing developments; television and radio commercials; publishing official notices reminding voters of their registration requirement; and conducting registration drives at schools, public events, grocery stores.

"My office and staff are available at all times to work with the political parties in order to achieve our common goal."

Last night Mr. Swan said his comments after the by-election were not intended to diminish public confidence in the electoral register.

"The reality is that outcome in ten constituencies are determined by very narrow margins and the focus must be on getting registers that are true and accurate," he said. "This is a critical issue."

"So we share with the registrar the goal of the most accurate register possible.

"He and his staff are doing the best they can under the current framework, but clearly it is not working and there is a need to consider changes.

"We look forward to meeting with him on the matter."Mr. Scott's letter can be read in full in the Letters to the Editor section of The Royal Gazette.