Residents who want to be able to vote in
elections in the Peterborough City area, including the upcoming
Police and Crime Commissioner elections in November are being urged
to complete and return their annual canvass registration form.
The annual canvass is conducted every year to
fulfil a duty placed on local authorities to ensure that the
register of electors remains complete and accurate. In order to do
this the council will be delivering a canvass form to every
household in the Peterborough area from the beginning of July.
Residents need to be on the electoral register
to be able to vote. You can register if you are a British, Irish,
commonwealth or European Union citizen.
The canvass only takes a couple of minutes to
complete and ensures that voters can have their say and help choose
the people who will represent them on the city council, parish
councils, in the UK Parliament, and in Europe as well as the Police
and Crime Commissioner.
The Government has confirmed that there will
be a change to the date for holding the annual canvass in 2012.
This is because the election for the Cambridgeshire Police and
Crime Commissioner will take place in November this year which is
during the normal canvass period.
The Cambridgeshire Police and Crime
Commissioner will be elected in November 2012. The
commissioner’s duties will include:-
- Setting a five year police and crime plan for
the police force area;
- Setting the force budget and determining the
precept;
- Appointing (and where necessary dismissing)
the Chief Constable;
- Holding the Chief Constable to account
A new register will be published on 16 October 2012 ready for
use at this election.
Rachel Parnell, Compliance Manager for
Peterborough City Council, said: “Last year a record number of
people completed the annual canvass which means more people than
ever before appeared on the register of electors and were able to
vote in elections. We want to exceed that this year so we urge
everyone to safeguard their right to vote by completing their
canvass form.
"People who are not on the register are not
able to vote in local and national elections. They may also find
that they are refused credit on purchases as credit agencies use
the electoral register to determine applications."
When the Police and Crime Commissioner
election is held on 15th November 2012, you will be able
to vote, either in person at a polling station, or by applying for
a postal vote or a proxy vote, which involves someone you trust
casting your vote on your behalf.
For more information, call the city council's
electoral helpline on (01733) 452249 or email electoralservices@peterborough.gov.uk
Ends.