Voters urged to sign up for local council elections
Voters across Northern Ireland are being urged to sign up for the upcoming local council elections in May.
Today (Friday) is they last day people can register to vote if they want to have their say on the 2nd of May.
462 councillors will be elected across the 11 council areas - but what are we voting for and why should we vote?
We spoke to the CEO of NILGA to find out more.
What are we voting for?
Derek McCallon says "I don't think there's anything more important than local public services offered by local people in the places you need them most.
"Councils are a bridge between the rest of government and the public who we commonly service.
"It's very important people realise the councillors that they will be voting for on the 2nd of May will be collectively responsible for around £1 billion pounds of public services - like our leisure centers and waste management - but it's also planning for the future councillors are looking at things like where are the jobs going to be for our young people in 20 years times, whats the infrastructure going to be like and how will our environment be sustainable - so it's a big role they play and that's why we want a big vote on the 2nd of May.
What's their roles? Is it more than bins and boxes?
"Yes it's much more than that - we're looking at sustaining the future of Northern Ireland and driving the economy an d what can be more important than having a good place to live good jobs and a great quality of life.
"These people we are electing are people like you and me, they want the best for the area and most live in the area.
"The recent flooding that hit us is a prime example of how important it is to have local councillors in place, taking decisions that are needed there and then."
Why do people not vote?
There has been a decline in the amount of people turning out to vote, something Mr McCallon says is down to a number of factors.
He said "I think that's down to a combination of reason. We are all well aware of the 'B' word, Brexit, the disinfection there, it's also a hard time here with the current Stormont stalemate that's now our third year and we are also being bombarded with negative global politics.
"But at least in terms of local government, whether its new leisure centers being opened, investment plans and great upkeep of parks, these decisions are being taken as we speak. Councils are probably the most risk taking, entrepreneurial part of government at the moment."
If you want to sign up to vote in the upcoming election, click here.