Image source, Pamela Bloomer Image caption,

Pamela Bloomer's application was rejected

By Claire Smyth

BBC News NI

More than 5,000 applications for postal and proxy votes in the Northern Ireland council elections were rejected due to problems related to the digital registration number (DRN).

Voters are required to provide a DRN when they register online to vote by post or by proxy.

It is only a requirement in Northern Ireland.

The figures were revealed by a Freedom of Information request from BBC News NI to the Electoral Office.

They showed that 73% (5,118) of the total 7,017 rejected postal or proxy vote applications in May's council elections were not approved due to issues with the DRN.

These included people submitting their application without a DRN number or filling in the wrong number.

The Electoral Office said it did not hold information on the number of people who were unable to vote as a result of not being able to vote by post or proxy, as they could have subsequently voted in person.