Local residents are being reminded to use their vote in the first Police and Crime Commissioner elections taking place on Thursday, November 15th.
For the first time, the public will be able to vote for a local police and crime commissioner (PCC). This is a new role and the job of the PCC will be to oversee the police and ensure they are prioritising what matters to the public. Elections will be taking place in England and Wales, excluding London.
In the Cheshire Police Area, which covers Cheshire, Warrington and Halton, there are five candidates standing for election.
For further information about the candidates see my previous article 'Five candidates in running for police commissioner role', or visit www.choosemypcc.org.uk.
David Parr is the Police Area Returning Officer for Cheshire, it is his job to coordinate the election across the area. He said "Using your vote in these, and any other election, is really important. By using your vote, you are making sure that your opinion is heard.
"Some people are quick to complain when they disagree with things that happen in their local community, but if you don't vote, you'll never change anything."
Cheshire East Council is urging those completing their postal votes for the Police and Crime Commissioner Election to take care. So far, the Council has received nearly 14,000 votes by post, with around 500 of these (3.5 per cent) being incomplete.
For postal votes to count, the Council must receive both the ballot paper and the postal voting statement. Currently, a small number of people are returning only part of the postal vote, or completing the postal voting statement incorrectly, which could lead to their vote being invalid.
Residents are being asked to follow the instructions that accompany the papers and correctly complete the postal voting statement by filling in their date of birth in the correct format and by adding an accurate signature. Postal votes must be received by the Local Returning Officer by 10pm on Thursday, November 15th.
Like a local, or general election, polling hours on November 15th will be between 7am and 10pm. Your polling station's location will be on the poll card that will have been delivered to you, if you have registered to vote. Alternatively, contact your local elections office on: 0300 123 5016.
Votes will be counted on Friday, November 16th.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
I don't beleive in politicising the police, and there are other resons why I think this is a very bad idea (one such: elected commissioners might be more interested in garnering votes by - for instance - concentrating on urban rather than rural crime).
I can see no merit in the scheme at all and so will not be voting. If I go to the polling station, it will be to state my views on the voting slip, rather than to vote.
In general, voting may/may not change anything,but unless you vote you cannot moan later about the outcome.