Make sure you are registered to vote in elections

It’s just one month until the deadline to register for your vote in May’s council and parish elections. 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, which see the city consist of 22 wards instead of the previous 24. 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. Residents will receive their poll cards around 31 March 2016. If they do not receive one they can call the Elections Helpline telephone number to check if they are registered.

Rachel Parnell, Peterborough City Council’s Electoral Services Manager, said: “It’s really important that no-one misses their chance to take part in the elections. This year, people could be voting as part of a different ward, as the boundaries in and around Peterborough have changed. People often think they’re automatically registered if they pay council tax, but that’s not the case.

“The fastest way to register to vote is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, and you need to do that by April 18 to make sure you receive your ballot paper.”

Postal votes are also available. The deadline to register to vote by post is Tuesday 19 April.

To arrange a postal vote contact the Elections helpline on 01733 452249 or email [email protected] to request an application form. People can also visit the Town Hall in Bridge Street, Peterborough to register.

Residents must bring documents to verify their name and address (a utility bill or council tax bill), and either a passport or driving licence that includes a photograph.

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 Peterborough Arena on Thursday 5 May with the results announced that night.

The Police and Crime Commissioner result will be declared the following day.