WEST Somerset and Taunton Deane councils have been named as failing to meet the Electoral Commission's standards on 'door to door' canvassing to ensure the accuracy of their voting registers. Councils are supposed to visit voters' homes but since 2008 a total of 90 authorities have failed in at least one year to meet the standards by carrying out insufficient visits. West Somerset and Taunton Deane were among five West Country councils - the others are Mid Devon, West Devon and Torridge - who failed to meet the standard in 2013. Labour MP Chris Ruane, who sits on the political and constitutional reform committee in the House of Commons, claimed this week that a "lackadaisical" attitude by some councils had contributed to around six million people disappearing off the electoral register nationally. And he also suggested at least one of the persistent failing authorities should be prosecuted as a test to others. A spokesman for West Somerset and Taunton Deane said both councils, which now shared an electoral services team under their new joint management and shared services agreement, were aware of the Electoral Commission's report. She said the team was working closely with the Electoral Commission on the implementation of the new Individual Electoral Registration (IER) when a full door-to-door enquiry services was planned to be rolled out. "West Somerset has carried out door-to-door canvassing in its most populated areas," she said. "However, the district covers a substantial and very rural area - including part of Exmoor - and has historically found it extremely difficult to find recruits willing to carry out the work." The spokesman said Taunton Deane had faced difficulties as the last canvass was getting underway. Door to door canvassing had been planned but plans had to be altered following the unexpected death of a key member of the electoral services team. But a postal canvass, backed up by cross checks with the Council Tax data, was undertaken. The spokesman said the recruitment of people to carry out the door to door visits had traditionally been through parish councils. But anyone could apply to register with the councils to carry out the paid work, although a good knowledge of the local area was essential and checks on suitability would be carried out.