Residents in Pendle are being urged to apply for postal or proxy votes if they are unable to attend polling stations in person at next month’s local elections.

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Voting will take place on Thursday, May 7, across the borough, except in Brierfield West & Reedley Ward and Fence & Higham Ward.

Pendle Borough Council is reminding people that applying to vote by post or appointing a trusted proxy ensures they can still take part.

Pendle Borough Council’s Chief Executive and Returning Officer Dean Langton.

Andrea Mullin, Elections and Registration Manager, said: “If you’d like to vote by post or by proxy this year and you haven’t already set this up, you’ll need to apply soon.

“You can apply for postal or proxy votes for a single election on a specific date, a specific period or indefinitely but you must be registered to vote to apply.”

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday, April 21, while applications for proxy votes must be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday, April 28.

Anyone acting as a proxy voter must bring an accepted form of photo ID, such as a driving licence or passport, or apply for a Voter Authority Certificate by the same deadline.

Pendle Borough Council’s Chief Executive and Returning Officer, Dean Langton, stressed the importance of making arrangements in advance.

He said: “If you can’t vote in person in May, please don’t miss the opportunity to have your say.

“If you have a postal vote, complete and return it as soon as possible using Royal Mail to avoid any potential delays.

“If you’re too late to put it in the post, you can take your postal vote to reception at Nelson Town Hall, but you must complete a short form, or it will be rejected.”

More information about voting options, including how to apply online, is available at www.pendle.gov.uk/vote. Residents can also contact the council’s elections team by calling 01282 661662 or 661919, or by emailing [email protected].