Elections

Local Elections

Thursday 4 May 2006

The forthcoming local elections on Thursday 4 May 2006 will see significant changes to arrangements for postal and proxy voting:

New postal votes

In order that the paperwork can be processed, the deadline for applying for a new postal vote has been moved back from 6-11 days before the election. (It was 5pm on Tuesday 18 April 2006).

Replacement of spoilt postal ballot papers

Changes in legislation mean that an elector may now apply for a replacement ballot paper if they have spoilt either their ballot paper or their declaration of identity.

Previously they could only apply if they had spoilt their ballot paper.

The spoilt ballot paper and the declaration of identity are to be returned to the Returning Officer (RO) at the Civic Centre, Dagenham, by 5pm on polling day (Thursday 4 May 2006), where RO staff will issue a new set of papers.

Voters are strongly advised to bring papers by hand to the Civic Centre offices.

Replacement of lost ballot papers

If the voter has not received a postal ballot paper, declaration of identity or envelopes, it is now possible for a replacement to be issued.

A voter can apply for a replacement between Thursday 27 April 2006 and 5pm on polling day (Thursday 4 May 2006).

The application must include details of the voter's identity. The voter must also return any of the postal voting documents that they still have.

We will request proof of identity before any replacements are issued.

For further details of the proof required please telephone 020 8227 2908.

Proxies

There is a new provision which allows a proxy to be appointed in the case of a medical condition or incapacity which arises from Wednesday 26 April 2006 until 5pm on polling day. If anybody becomes ill during this period they need to contact the office on 020 8227 2908.

A person is not entitled to vote as proxy at the same local government election in any electoral area on behalf of more than 2 electors, unless they are close relatives that is they are the spouse, civil partner, parent, grandparent, brother, sister, child or grandchild of the voter.

There is no limit to the number of close relatives that a proxy may vote for.

A couple of weeks before the election all qualified electors will receive a poll card with a map on it detailing their polling place and informing them whether they have a postal vote.

The card will tell you the date and hours of poll and the location of your polling station.

The date for postal vote applications has now passed. If you were too late, you could always appoint a proxy to vote on your behalf. Closing date for proxies was 5pm on Tuesday 25 April 2006.

Remember

Your vote counts on polling day.

If you forget to return your postal vote you can hand deliver it to your polling station on the day.

Contact

Laurel Brewster

Electoral Services Manager

Civic Centre

Rainham Road North

Dagenham

RM10 7BN

Supported by Barking and Dagenham Direct:

Tel: 020 8215 3000

Fax: 020 8227 5184

Minicom: 020 8227 5755

Email: 3000direct@lbbd.gov.uk|

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am - 6pm.