MEASURES are being put in place to ensure that May’s local government elections can take place safely.

The elections on May 6 will be the first since the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic after last May’s elections were cancelled.

Bradford residents will have the chance to have their say on who represents them at Council elections and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Mayoral election.

Responding to confirmation from Government Minister Chloe Smith that local elections will take place on May 6 Kersten England, the Returning Officer for the Bradford District, confirmed arrangements are being made and said that polling stations will look different this time as Covid safety measures will be in place for people who choose to cast their vote in person.

She said: “There are 10 elections and referendums currently running in the district on May 6 – Local, Mayoral, parishes and Neighbourhood Planning referendums, including multiple vacancies in some wards.

“It would have been a considerable logistical operation in normal times. The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the scale of the challenge massively.

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“While the elections are not until May, we have plans in hand now to deliver elections following Government and Electoral Commission guidance with Covid safety measures in place for the health and safety of voters and everyone involved in the election process.

“We cannot predict how many people will have been vaccinated by early May. Therefore people can expect the same requirements they have become used to in shops and other businesses over the last year, such as Perspex screens, using sanitiser and wearing a face mask.

“Social distancing is likely to still apply and there will be restrictions on the number of people in a polling station at one time which will mean there are likely to be queues at times. We hope everyone will understand that these actions are necessary to ensure the safety of voters and staff.

“The elections are very important – they’re an 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 the Bradford District.”

There are a number of ways to have your say in these elections – you can vote in person at a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, which is known as a proxy vote.

You must be registered to vote, which can be done online in just 5 minutes. If you aren’t already registered the easiest way to register is online at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

If you’re thinking about voting by post you can apply now. This will make sure your application is processed early, and your postal vote can be sent to you more quickly. To apply to vote by post you need to download, print and fill in a postal vote application form