This Wednesday is the deadline for registering to vote in the upcoming General Election.

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) is encouraging young people to register to vote for the first time - and reminding people to make sure they're able to vote by visiting CheckTheRegister.ie.

Almost 60,000 young people have turned 18 since last year and will be eligible to vote for the first time if they are 18 on or before February 15, 2016.

Deputy director of the NYCI James Doorley said it was important to make the effort to register in the next few days.

He said: "With the likelihood of an election, probably in late February or March next year, it's a good opportunity for people to make sure they can vote, and avoid having to do a much more complicated supplementary register process in advance of the General Election."