Just days left to make sure you can vote

With only a few days to go until the voter registration deadline for next month’s council elections, Stirling Council is urging anyone who wants to vote to make sure that they are registered in time.

Anyone living in Scotland who will be 16 or over on May 5 can register to vote in these elections.

The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday, April 18. Residents can apply online at gov.uk/ register-to-vote. It takes just five minutes.

On Thursday May 5, voters will go to the polls to have their say on who will represent them as councillors for Stirling Council. Councillors will represent their local area and make decisions on essential services, which affect daily life for residents.

Carol Beattie, Returning Officer for the Stirling Council constituency said:“with only days to go, time is running out to make sure you can take part in the local elections.

“These elections are an important opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in Stirling. In order to be able to vote, residents must be on the electoral register, so if you’re not registered by midnight on April 18, you won’t be able to take part.”

Andy O’neill, Head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland, said:“you can only take part in the May elections if you are registered to vote, and time is running out. It’s quick and easy – it takes just five minutes online at www.gov.uk/ registertovote.

“If you have recently turned 16 or moved home, it is particularly important you make sure you are correctly registered to vote. If you were registered to vote in the last election and your details have not changed, you don’t need to take any action. If in doubt, you can check with your electoral registration office by calling 01786 892289.”

Voters have a range of options – they can vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on April 19, and for a proxy vote the deadline is 5pm on April 26.

For info on elections, how to register to vote, or how to apply to vote by post or by proxy, see www. electoralcommission. org.uk/voter. The page will continue to be updated ahead of the polls.