Polling station shake-up

A SHAKE-UP of polling stations ahead of this year’s crucial all-out elections in Wokingham borough has been approved by councillors.

At the full council meeting last week, they agreed to shift places that members of the public can vote away from schools where possible.

In May, due to new ward boundaries being introduced, all 54 council seats are up for grabs.

The majority of polling stations have been untouched, but under the review some were identified as being unavailable or no longer suitable.

Consideration was given to residents with accessibility requirements, as well as a desire to minimise disruption to schools and that polling places have sufficient space to allow staff to check photo ID in private.

Andrew Moulton, returning officer at Wokingham Borough Council, said: “We are grateful to everyone who took the time to comment during our consultation.

“Although we appreciate we cannot find the perfect location for all voters, we have endeavoured to minimise the impact of changes on them, while at the same time ensuring all polling places meet necessary Electoral Commission requirements.

“With lots of elections taking place this year, including the all-out borough elections and

Police and Crime Commissioner elections on Thursday, May 2, it was important for us to get this process right and give residents and other interested parties the chance to tell us about any barriers they faced in exercising their democratic right.”

Some residents will be voting in a different ward to the one in which they last case their vote.

To register to vote, or to apply for a postal vote, log on to: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote