Citizens keen to voice their opposition to embryo freezing are being denied their democratic right due to problems with an online form to sign a parliamentary petition, a lobby group has said. 

Gift of Life Foundation said that while more than 7,500 people had signed the petition in 10 days, that number would have been "substantially greater" had the online petition system been working efficiently. 

In a statement, the Foundation said that it had been contacted by a "very large" number of people who were unable to add their name to the online petition. 

"Difficulties range from problems entering the date of birth, identity card number not being accepted and emails being received saying that there was no request received to sign petition," the Foundation said, adding that people who struggled with IT literacy were especially disadvantaged.  

The petition, which was filed on April 3 by Emanuela Cachia, calls on MPs to ensure the Embryo Protection Act is not amended, saying plans to allow embryos to be frozen would violate the right to life. 

Gift of Life appealed to parliament to urgently address technical issues with the system without delay, to "allow persons to exercise their right to sign this petition without impediment." 

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