Councillor’s fears over delays for postal votes
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A KIRKLEES councillor fighting to retain his wafer-thin seat in Thursday’s election has complained that he has been contacted by supporters who have not received postal votes.
Bernard McGuin, (Con, Almondbury), said: “I have been rung by supporters who have not received postal votes.
“Electoral Services are supposed to send out a duplicate voting form over the weekend and Bank Holiday Monday to replace non-delivered votes. As people are registered for postal votes, if their ballot paper does not arrive, they are not allowed, as I understand it, to vote at a polling station.
“People are confused as to whether to wait for the voting papers to come, (but that is now leaving it until today as Royal Mail were not working on Monday), or ring up for a new ballot paper which is supposed to be delivered by hand by staff who, I have been told, are working the weekend and on the Bank Holiday. I have been told by people ringing up that they have left messages and no one is getting back to them. Not a healthy situation.”
In an email to councillors, a Kirklees Council officer said: “We have become aware that some of the first issue have not as yet been delivered by Royal Mail.
“We are aware that packs are still being delivered daily.
“We have been in contact with senior officers in
Royal Mail to discuss the non-delivery, the number of which appears to be a relatively small number spread across all wards.
“We are receiving phone calls from electors and we are offering and sending out replacement packs.
“This process involves cancellation of the original pack, reissue and renumbering of new packs
“Where possible we are posting out via Royal Mail with the agreement of the elector.
“We are also arranging for personal delivery by our staff over the bank holiday weekend. We have arranged for our telephones to be on over the weekend. There appears to no pattern that can be identified and whilst we are still in discussion with Royal Mail we now need to concentrate on replacement of any packs that have not been delivered.
“The chief executive, (Jacqui Gedman), is aware and we will revisit this on Tuesday and I will update at that point.”
Despite Clr McGuin’s fears it’s understood Royal Mail has delivered everything that has been handed over to them regarding these postal votes and it has been in constant touch with the council throughout this time. A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Royal Mail remains in close contact with Kirklees Council. We have confirmed to them that we have delivered all the mail items related to postal votes that have been handed over to us.
“We stand ready to help in any way we
can.”