Antrim man Stephen Elliot of the Parents Association for Choice in Education (PACE) has drawn attention to the procedure after parents at Ballymoney Model Primary School narrowly voted to take integrated status.

"It is inherently unfair that brochures from only one side of the argument are promoted in such an important ballot and I can confirm that a judicial review is being considered regarding this case," he said.

The public sector health researcher says his UK-wide organisation has around 250 members in the Ballymoney postcode area.

"It is a bit like having an election where the only brochures that are handed out are for the Tories – it would not be very fair," he said. "We would be much happier if there was an opportunity for us to put forward information about gaps in the NI Council for Integrated Education brochure."

The education boards and Department of Education are keen to cooperate with NICIE, he said, because they often relieve themselves of the financial burden of supporting such schools.

And he is very concerned that in the case of Park Hall College in Antrim, the Electoral Reform Service carried out four ballots in two years, "until they got support for transformation".

The chairman of the Assembly Education Committee, Mervyn Storey, said that where ballot papers are sent out in such cases, "it cannot be right that a brochure with only one side of the argument is included. All sides of the debate should be treated equally," he said.

A NEELB spokesman confirmed a separate communication from NICIE was included in the ballot pack for Ballymoney Model containing "only factual information for parents".

Ballymoney Model would remain an integrated primary school funded by the board, but any additional costs, primarily for RE teaching, would be met from the Department of Education or the Integrated Education Fund, he said.

Park Hall College carried out two ballots last year – the first didn't reach the quota and the second rejected integrated status, he said. Another ballot was held this year because of a new intake – the first didn't reach quota, while the second did accept the change in status.

A spokeswoman for Electoral Reform Services (ERS) said it was a legal requirement to send out "a factual sheet of information" about integrated education in such polls. "The other side of the argument is the status quo," she added.

A spokeswoman for NICIE said their leaflet was approved by the department and the NEELB and that ballots were arranged by the department with the ERS.

Ballymoney Model Primary School said it would set out its position in the News Letter in due course. Park Hall College said it followed procedures set down by ERS.