Get ready for North Northamptonshire elections and sign up to vote or stand in May elections

Elections will choose parish, town and county councillors in North Northamptonshire
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Preparations for local elections in May are under way with North Northamptonshire residents being urged to make note of important dates.

On Thursday, May 6, 2021, a poll will be held to elect councillors for the new North Northamptonshire Council (NNC).

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The new unitary authority will replace Corby Council, East Northants Council, Kettering Council, the Borough Council of Wellingborough, and Northamptonshire County Council on Thursday, April 1.

Polling Stations will be open to the publicPolling Stations will be open to the public
Polling Stations will be open to the public

Rob Bridge, the returning officer for North Northamptonshire, said: “With the new council coming into existence on April 1, the May elections are more important than ever.

“At the same time public health remains the highest priority and the Government is keeping the election under constant review, but I would assure voters that when the elections take place, we will be ready and have measures in place to keep people safe.

“There’ll be one-way systems, we’ll limit the number of people allowed in polling stations at one time and hand sanitiser will be made widely available, but even with these extra measures, people with underlying health conditions will still be concerned, and there will be longer queues.

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“That’s why we want voters to take note of these dates, plan ahead, speak to friends, family and neighbours and get ready for the May election now.”

Voters need to bring their own pencilsVoters need to bring their own pencils
Voters need to bring their own pencils

Electors will be able to cast votes for the NCC councillors, the new town councils, the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and representatives for the 95 parish councils across the new unitary area.

Anyone who wants to stand in the election should submit their nomination paper from Friday, March 26, with the deadline of 4pm on Thursday, April 8.

Voters who are not yet registered to vote should do so by Monday, April.19.

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To vote in the elections by post, or to make changes to an existing postal or proxy vote, the deadline is 5pm on Tuesday, April 20.

Voters will have to wear facemasks, use hand sanitiser and bring their own penVoters will have to wear facemasks, use hand sanitiser and bring their own pen
Voters will have to wear facemasks, use hand sanitiser and bring their own pen

For those who wish to vote by proxy - where someone else can attend the polling station to vote on their behalf - apply to do so by no later than 5pm on Tuesday, April 27.

Paul Goult, electoral registration officer for Corby, said: "This year’s elections are 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.

“We’re thinking about these elections now so that, however you choose to cast your vote in May, you can do so safely.

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"At the polling station you can expect many of the measures you’ve become used to in shops and banks over recent months, such as hand sanitiser, floor markings and face masks.

"We will actively encourage you to bring your own pen or pencil to mark the ballot paper which has always been an option.”

Canvassers for the polls will however have to campaign without door-to-door meetings, face-to-face hustings or leaflet drops

Nick Adderley, Chief Constable for Northamptonshire Police, has warned that canvassing for political purpose throughout lockdown should be in line with national lockdown restrictions.

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He said: “Police officers will continue to respond proportionality to any alleged breach of the legislation, as we have done throughout the pandemic and we will continue to ask the public to comply with the spirit of the guidance, working with them as we have continued to do over the last few months.

"Maintaining the confidence of our public is fundamental to our legitimacy as we have seen in the examples and the press coverage over the past weeks.

"My position as chief constable is clear, it is essential that we work together to do all that we can to bring the infection rate down, support the NHS and save lives."

A total of 78 councillors will be elected for North Northamptonshire Council – three seats for each of the 26 electoral wards which are based on similar geographical areas to the existing county council division areas.

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The new North Northamptonshire Council will legally become responsible for the delivery of local services on April 1, up until that date, elected councillors will serve on a shadow authority that will be responsible for setting up the new council so that it is ready to be operational from the same date.

Click here to register for a postal vote for Corby Council or email [email protected] or call 01536 464012/14.

For more information including electoral registration, postal and proxy vote applications for Kettering Council click here or email [email protected] or call 01536 534353.

To register for a postal vote for East Northants Council click here. or email [email protected] or call 01832 742119.

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To register for a postal vote for Wellingborough Council or email [email protected] or call 01933 231 513..

Join the electoral register by providing National Insurance number and date of birth at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Anyone wishing to stand for election should visit the Local Government Association’s Be a Councillor webpage www.local.gov.uk/be-councillor.

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