Fylde’s local elections will go ahead on 6th May year with special measures in place to ensure they are ‘Covid-secure’ The Government has today (05.02.2021) announced that these delayed local elections will proceed in England on 6th May, 2021 due to their expectations that everyone over 50 will have been vaccinated. The Cabinet Office confirmed that the ‘Covid-secure’ polls would be held as planned, despite some objections, with some changes to the rules. Importantly, Thursday 6th May 2021 is now noted as the first committed date the Government have provided for when all the over-50s will have received the vaccine.
However, some disruption is anticipated due to changes to polling stations, as some locations are unsuitable for social distancing. Voters will have to wear face coverings inside polling stations and will be asked to bring their own pen or pencil to mark their ballot. As social distancing measures will be in place there could be queues. Polling stations will be fitted with hand sanitiser and divider screens and will be ventilated and cleaned regularly.
There will also be changes to electoral laws to allow last-minute proxy voting applications for people who have to self-isolate. They will be able to request an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm on polling day, rather than having to do it several days in advance.
Voters will also be able to request a postal vote in advance. The Government said it would encourage early applications for absent voting but will not be imposing compulsory postal voting as ‘this could increase fraud risk and reduce choice for voters’.
To vote by post in our area, you’ll need to fill in an application form. They are available from the Electoral Registration Officer, Town Hall, Lytham St Annes, FY8 1LW. Telephone: 01253 658542/658549. Email: electoral@fylde.gov.uk
