Make sure you can vote in Peterborough elections

Election news and coverage from the Peterborough Telegraph: peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news, @peterboroughtel on Twitter, facebook.com/peterboroughtoday

With council and parish elections due to take place three months from today, residents in Peterborough should ensure that they are on the electoral register. If not, they could miss their chance to vote.

The 2016 council elections will be the first all-out election for more than a decade in the city. Voters will elect 60 councillors across the city based on new ward boundaries.

Voters will also elect the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cambridgeshire.

Residents have until Monday 18 April to make sure they are registered. Anyone not on the register by then will not be able to vote.

Rachel Parnell, Peterborough City Council’s Electoral Services Manager, said: “We want to make sure that no-one misses out on their right to take part in the elections. This year, people may be voting as part of a different ward, as ward boundaries in and around Peterborough have changed.

“Because of that, the May election will see voters elect 60 councillors across the city and its villages.

“If you want your voice to be heard, make sure you’re on the electoral register. People often think they’re automatically registered if they pay council tax, but that isn’t the case.”

The fastest way to register to vote is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

The deadline to register to vote by post is Tuesday 19 April, please contact the Elections helpline telephone number on 01733 452249 or email: [email protected] to arrange for an application form to be sent.

People can also visit the Town Hall in Bridge Street, Peterborough to register. They must bring documents to verify their name and address (a utility bill or council tax bill), and either a passport or driving licence with photographic evidence.

To vote in a local government election a person must be registered to vote and also be one of the following:

a British citizen living in the UK

a qualifying Commonwealth citizen living in the UK

a citizen of the Republic of Ireland living in the UK

a European Union citizen living in the UK

The count for the local elections will be held at the Peterborough Arena on Thursday 5 May with the results announced that night. The Police and Crime Commissioners results will be declared the following day.