On Thursday 6 May 2021 residents in the local area will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside (PCC).
The PCC is not the police, rather the post is a voice of the public elected every four years (normally). PCCs aim to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service within their force area. They have been elected by the public to hold Chief Constables and the local police force to account, effectively making the police answerable to the communities they serve.
An election should have taken place in May 2020 but was posponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
There are a number of ways to have your say in the election in May – you can vote in a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, which is known as a proxy vote.
There is more information on voting at the Electoral Commission website: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/how-cast-your-vote
Three candidates have declared an intention to stand in the Humberside police force area (via WhoCanIVoteFor):
- Keith Hunter is the Labour and Co-operative Party candidate.
- Bob Morgan is the Liberal Democrats candidate.
- Craig Ulliott is the Conservative and Unionist Party candidate.
Other candidates may still put their names forward. Information is available from the Electoral Commission on standing as a candidate.
The Electoral Commission has been proactive in reassuring voters about the safety of the polls:
“It is an important democratic principle that elections should proceed as scheduled whenever possible. The electoral community (the commission and others) has been preparing for Covid-safe elections since last March when the 2020 elections were postponed. Together, we have taken steps to help everyone involved take part safely and confidently.
“Safety measures, such as face coverings, hand sanitiser and social distancing, will be in place to make polling stations safe places to vote and to work, and we are sharing information with voters so they understand the voting options available to them.
“We are supporting administrators in their complex and important work to prepare for and deliver the polls, and we will continue to update our guidance for parties, campaigners and electoral administrators as needed in order to reflect the latest public health advice and any legislative changes.”
www.electoralcommission.org.uk – 5 Feb 2021.
