Peterborough voters and candidates urged to register soon for upcoming local elections

With a total of 18 seats on Peterborough City Council set to be contested on May 7, now is the time for city residents to make sure their details are up-to-date on the electoral register.

The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday, April 20, so Peterborough City Council is urging people who are not registered at their current address to make sure they are registered in time.

Rachel Edwards, Peterborough City Council’s head of constitutional services, said “time is running out” for residents to ensure they will be able to take part in the democratic process.

“They [elections] are an important opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in Peterborough,” she said, adding “If you’re not registered by 20 April, you won’t be able to vote.”

It takes just five minutes to apply online, although residents can also register by calling the elections helpline on 01733 452249, or emailing [email protected] so that an application form can be sent out by post.

Voters who are looking to cast their ballot by post or by proxy have slightly different time limits to keep in mind. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on April 21, and for a proxy vote it is 5pm on April 28.

Of course, it is not just voters who need to ensure they are registered in good time.

Candidate councillors – the people who are looking to represent the city’s wards – have an even more pressing registration deadline looming on the not-too-distant horizon.

Anyone who is planning to throw their hat in the ring for a councillor role has until 4pm on Thursday, April 9 to submit their nomination papers.

That’s just three weeks away.

Those considering putting themselves up for election do not need to be a member of a political party to do so. However, individuals who are hoping to stand as a candidate for a particular political party will need to ensure they are a member of that party’s local organisation.

This year, elections will be held in 18 city wards: Bretton; Central; Dogsthorpe; East; Eye, Thorney and Newborough; Fletton and Stanground; Fletton and Woodston; Gunthorpe; Hampton Vale; Hargate and Hempsted; North; Orton Longueville; Orton Waterville; Park; Paston and Walton; Ravensthorpe; Stanground South; and Werrington.

The count for the local elections will be held at KingsGate Conference Centre in Parnwell on Thursday, May 7, with the results set to be declared during the wee early hours of the following Friday morning.