Five candidates on the ballot for police chief
ELECTION TAKING PLACE FOR THE COMMISSIONER’S ROLE ON MAY 2
FIVE candidates will contest the election to become Leicestershire police and crime commissioner (PCC).
The list for the poll on May 2 was announced, following the closing of the nomination period.
The candidates are:
■ Fizza Askari: One Leicester
■ Aasiya Bora: Green Party
■ Rupert Matthews: Conservative
■ Rory Palmer: Labour and Cooperative Party
■ Ian Sharpe: Liberal Democrats
All registered electors in the city and counties are eligible to vote in the poll, which will be administered by Leicester City Council.
For the first time, the election will be decided on a first past the post basis.
Previous polls used a transferable vote system.
When polling stations close on May 2, each local authority will count their own votes and provide their figures to the city council.
The PCC will serve a four-year term. Their role, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners said: “Is to be the voice of the people and hold the police to account. “They are responsible for the totality of policing.
“PCCs aim to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service within their police force area.
“They are elected by the public to hold Chief Constables and the force to account, making the police answerable to the communities they serve.”
Under the terms of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, PCCs must:
■ Secure efficient and effective police for their area;
■ Appoint the Chief Constable, hold them to account for running the force, and if necessary, dismiss them;
■ Set the police and crime objectives for their area through a police and crime plan;
■ Set the force budget and determine the precept;
■ Bring together community safety and criminal justice partners, to make sure local priorities are joined up;
■ Contribute to the national and international policing capabilities set out by the Home Secretary.
This year’s election will be the fourth for a PCC in Leicestershire.
The first holder of the role was Sir Clive Loader, who defeated Labour’s Sarah Russell and independent Suleman Nagdi, in 2012.
Labour peer Lord (Willy) Bach, won the election in 2016.
The Conservatives regained the role in 2021 – delayed by a year because of the pandemic – when Rupert Matthews defeated Labour candidate Ross Willmott and Liberal Democrat James Moore.
Turnout in the elections has been between 16 per cent in 2012 and 31 per cent in 2021.