As many as 13 local authority members could be forced to stand down because their names are not on the electoral register.

One Douglas councillor, two Ramsey commissionersand one Port St Mary commissioner have so far had to quit.

But iomtoday has learned that two Peel commissioners, two in Santon and one each in Braddan, Michael, Marown, Lezayre and German are also missing from the voters’ list and could face the same sanction.

A spokesman for the Cabinet Office confirmed there are 13 local authority members around the island who are not on the electoral register.

In each case, the local authority took legal advice which concluded that as their names weren’t on the electoral register they were no longer qualified to be a councillor and their seats had to be vacated. Allowing them to continue as unqualified members could leave them open to legal challenge, they argued.

By-elections have been called in the Ramsey North and South wards on September 9 and in Douglas Victoria ward on September 10. But as the next register is not published until October, the ousted members will not be eligible to stand.

At Peel Commissioners, clerk Derek Sewell confirmed: ‘There is an issue which will be discussed at the board meeting on Tuesday night.’

Braddan Commissioners’ clerk Colin Whiteway confirmed commissioner Colin Slinn was not on the voters’ list. The matter would be discussed at the next board meeting on August 20.

But he added that it had always been Mr Slinn’s intention to stand down at the end of this term and he could leave on September 30, six months before the local authority elections, without the need for a by-election to be called.

There are 158 elected representatives in local authorities around the island.

In Jurby, Ballaugh and Andreas all members are present and correct thanks to clerk John Quayle who checks the voters’ list each time a new one is published.

He said: ‘I just go through the list out of curiosity. It’s part of your duties as clerk.’

The Department of Infrastructure last week said that, based on the Attorney General’s advice, the legislation was open to interpretation.

Clerk to Port Erin Commissioners Jason Roberts said: ‘We check every list and every member is present and correct.’

Similar rules requiring candidates to be on the voters’ list do not apply to those standing in House of Keys elections.

Some 12,252 names were removed from the electoral register when new rules came in.

It is understand that information about the rule changes was sent to every local authority clerk before Christmas.

Anybody wishing to check whether their name is on the register can contact the electoral registration office of their local town hall.

Paul Cowin, assistant town clerk at Douglas Council, said: ‘Because of the timescales imposed by the Local Elections Act and Regulations made under it, we have to proceed to fill the vacancy quite quickly.

‘That means, sadly, that Mr Joughin, who will only become registered on October 31, won’t be eligible when nominations close on August 17.