THE Orange Order has defended hosting 'election clinics' in its halls aimed at boosting unionist turnout at the Westminster election.
A spokesman said events planned at three properties this weekend sought to "strengthen both the union and the democratic process in Northern Ireland".
The new pro-union registration drive does not appear to be aligned to any particular party.
In a leaflet sent to householders, people are urged only to "help defend the union through voting unionist".
It states: "It's a critical time when Brexit is on our doorsteps; devolution has collapsed in Northern Ireland; [and there are] calls from republicans for a border poll, that Northern Ireland has the strongest unionist representation at Westminster and has its voice heard on a national level."
The election clinics are set to take place on Saturday from 10am to 4pm at Orange halls in Bangor, Conlig and Groomsport, as well as at Whitehill Community House.
SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat claimed it raises further questions over funding of the loyal order.
Last month The Irish News revealed how a report had confirmed that a DUP-led government grants scheme for community halls was weighted in favour of the Protestant community.
It was claimed that some 'faith-based' groups, including the Orange Order, do not apply for lottery funds due to religious objections to gambling.
However, Orange lodges and halls have received more than £350,000 from lottery bodies in the past two years.
[ Tom Elliott defends the Orange halls being used for election clinicsOpens in new window ]
Mr Dallat described the election registration campaign as "overtly sectarian".
"It surely calls into question the rationale for funding the Orange Order in the first place when the premises the hard-pressed taxpayer paid for is now being billed as the place to get registered to keep out nationalists or others."
Sinn Féin also said that while the Orange Order claimed to be a solely cultural and religious body, it is "no secret that (they) have been heavily involved in recent elections attempting to influence the political process".
"The Orange institution is now encouraging people to vote for pro-Brexit, pro-austerity and anti-equality parties against the wishes of the majority of people in the north."
It's believed the order is involved in the unionist voter registration drive.
The campaign also includes a 'unionist special election hotline' where voters can seek advice ahead of the June 8 poll.
But when The Irish News phoned the dedicated hotline yesterday, a worker who answered refused to say who was behind the initiative.
"The campaign is supported by various groups. It's a standalone campaign in its own right," he said.
"There are events throughout the country. There's different registration clinics in a variety of different venues – it's not limited to Orange halls."
The Orange Order would not say whether it runs the campaign, but a spokesman welcomed it as a "positive development".
"We are pleased that many local communities have taken the initiative and are using Orange halls to host electoral information events.
"This type of community engagement should be welcomed as a positive development, and one which seeks to strengthen both the union and the democratic process in Northern Ireland."
The DUP also defended the campaign, saying it would "boost participation in the democratic process".
"These events have been organised by the Orange institution and whilst DUP members are members of the order in north Down these have not been organised by the party," a spokesman said.
