IT is reported that in the North West this year's local and European elections are to be entirely by postal ballot, despite the views of the Electoral Commission and North West Authorities, because the Government has insisted. So much for democracy!
Are we to be informed what rules will apply, that we might be spared the farce whereby Bolton required the voter to sign a declaration which some 10,000 declined to do, (no doubt with some justification in that they perceived the requirement to compromise the secrecy of the ballot), resulting in all those votes being declared invalid, whereas Trafford Authority did not require a declaration. Thus they only suffered a small number of spoilt papers, which has always occurred at elections.
Some of us may well deplore this move to postal voting en masse, because of the risk of impersonation, which the Representation of the People Act has always sought to avoid.
Let the Returning Officer explain in advance what is to be the rule relating to the Declaration.
B H Tetlow
Oaks Lane
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article