Local elections will go ahead in May - but you will have to bring your own pen!
CALDERDALE WILL be ready to host local elections – and the first West Yorkshire Mayoral elections – in May, but party group leaders have concerns.
Labour’s Tim Swift and Liberal Democrat James Baker were unhappy at restrictions on campaigning which may affect how parties can interact with voters and Conservative Steven Leigh cautioned COVID-19 had shown things could change in an instant.
Robin Tuddenham, Chief Executive,
Electoral Registration Officer and Returning Officer at Calderdale Council, said preparation has been underway for some time to ensure a safe voting process – and using postal votes would be encouraged.
“We have assessed all our polling stations, particularly looking at access to and from the buildings and the space within them to ensure, as far as is reasonably possible, that venues are safe for voters to cast their votes in person if necessary,” he said.
The council would be able to adapt as required up to election day, said Mr Tuddenham.
Coun Swift (Lab, Town) welcomed a decision being taken but believed it would have been safer for these elections to have been all-postal vote elections and he was concerned about continuing restrictions on campaigning in person
In these circumstances the Government should provide funding for an individual mailing to be sent to each elector in the same way that is provided for in General Elections,” he said.
Coun Baker (Lib-Dem, Warley) shared campaigning concerns: “We rely on our reputation for being active on the doorsteps all year round and on volunteers to deliver our leaflets, it will disadvantage smaller parties like ours and independent candidates.”
Coun Leigh (Con, Ryburn) said he understood Government will make available £15 million to help councils with the costs of making the elections COVID-safe.
Voters will be asked to bring their own pen and wear face masks inside regularly cleaned polling stations, while anyone asked to self-isolate will be able to get an emergency proxy vote and participate without leaving home, said Coun Leigh.
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