Change of venue for some polling stations

A SMALL number of polling stations in Carmarthenshire for tomorrow’s Senedd, police and crime commissioner and local elections will be at new locations to meet Covid-19 safety regulations.

For voters in the Carmarthen East and Dinefwr constituency, Betws Rugby Club will be used as a new polling station, and so will Pembrey Memorial Hall in Pembrey, Carmarthenshire Council has confirmed.

At the start of April the council put out an appeal on its website and social media for people to help out at polling stations.

The authority said: “Election attendants will be responsible for supporting people voting in-person at polling stations to comply with Covid-19 safety measures, including following directional signage, social distancing, wearing a face covering and sanitising hands.”

A joint statement by the Welsh, UK and Scottish governments issued in March outlined the way voting would work during the pandemic.

It stated: “Voters attending polling stations can expect to see many of the protective measures with which they are already now familiar.

“Hand sanitiser will be available, and screens, distance markings and protective barriers will be in use as appropriate.

“Social distancing will be in place both inside and outside polling stations and all voters and staff should wear a face covering.

“Voters will be encouraged to bring their own pen or pencil to mark their ballot papers, although fresh, clean pencils will still be available for all.

“Anyone who feels comfortable going to a supermarket or a post office now (March) can therefore feel confident attending a polling station in May.

“However, we understand that not everyone will wish or be able to vote in person.

“Therefore, anyone who is shielding, or anyone who would for any reason prefer not to attend a polling station, can apply for a postal or proxy vote in advance of the elections.”

New rules are in place to allow for emergency proxy voting leading up to polling day and until 5pm on the day itself. This will mean that voters who are self-isolating due to coronavirus exposure, testing or experiencing symptoms can still have their say in the election without having to leave their home.

However, results of the election may take longer to be announced due to the safety measures in place at count centres, the governments have said.

In Carmarthenshire, votes will be counted on Friday, May 7, and Sunday, May 9.

The joint statement by all three governments added: “We must also appreciate that for these polls, due to the additional measures in place to make the counts Covid-secure, it may be the case that the counting of votes and announcement of results will take longer than previous years.

“However, the announcement of results will be made as soon as is practicable after the close of the polls.”

Polling stations on May 6 will be open between 7am and 10pm.