03 July 2024 , 10:44
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Fears are mounting that voters across the country risk being shut out of casting their ballots due to hold-ups with postal votes ahead of the General Election on Thursday
Thousands of voters have been caught up in chaos over postal ballots which risks shutting people out of voting on polling day.
A blame-game began over who was at fault for delays to postal votes in some parts of the country, with reports suggesting more than 90 constituencies could be affected.
Royal Mail has sought to blame the Government for the tight timetable after Rishi Sunak stunned the country by calling a snap election on July 4. A spokesperson insisted there was "no backlog of postal votes" and it was confident that those handed in on time would be delivered.
But Postal Affairs Minister Kevin Hollinrake suggested Royal Mail should have anticipated extra demand for postal votes during the summer holidays. It is the first July election since 1945, and coincides with the summer break in Scottish schools.
Here’s what we know about what’s going on - and what to do if you haven’t had your postal ballot.
What’s the problem?
Voters have been reporting issues with receiving their postal ballots ahead of polling day on Thursday. The deadline for registering for a postal vote was June 19 but some people still have received their ballot pack. Postal votes must have reached councils by 10pm on polling day to be eligible.
Postal voting has become more popular in recent years. Some people choose to vote this way because they are ill, housebound or plan to be away on polling day. Others simply prefer it.
Only 937,000 people voted by post in 1997 but this rose to 8.2million in 2019. Postal vote numbers are expected to exceed 10million at this election, a 20% increase from 2019, according to the Association of Electoral Administrators.
But councils and electoral administrators have raised concerns that the timetable is too tight - 11 working days from the deadline - as printing postal votes is complicated. Personalised postal vote statements must be matched with the correct ballot paper, personalised envelopes and instruction sheets. Election teams also need to carry out security checks.
The timing of the snap election may also be a factor. It is the first July election since 1945 and coincides with the summer holidays in Scotland. It was also called soon after the local elections in May, putting pressure on electoral administrators and councils.
Which councils have been affected?
Local authorities are responsible for sending out postal ballot packs to voters, so there is no centralised list of how many people are affected. However problems have been reported in a number of council areas.
- Blackburn and Darwen Council
- East Lothian Council
- Edinburgh City Council
- Fife Council
-
Medway Council
- North Hertfordshire Council
- Southwark Council
- Teignbridge District Council, Devon