02-12-2021, 02:35 PM
Letter to the Reading Chronicle - Liberal Party calls for a clear decision to postpone or for the provision of a universal postal vote for May elections.
Following the suspension of local, mayoral and PCC elections scheduled for May 2021 people could never have imaged at the time that this country would still be facing a COVD-19 driven public health crisis almost a years later.
As the clock ticks down the opening of the nominating period in March the government has yet to publicly commit itself to the polls although media reports suggest that the elections are most likely to take place.
Yet almost every aspects of the electoral process from collecting nominating signatures, canvassing and the delivery of leaflets potentially falls foul of social distancing restrictions as well as exposing people to the risk of infection.
Candidates and party workers out canvassing will have no idea who is shielding let along in 10 days isolation and should not be disturbed.
The Liberal Party called for a postal ballot back in July 2021. This would have removed the dangers of infection for polling station staff and the public as well as those involved in the overnight counting and declaration of the results.
Not holding elections does produce a democratic deficit, candidates elected for 4 years have now served 5, but the Liberal Party believes a clear decision to postpone or the provision of a universal postal vote should now be made.
Following the suspension of local, mayoral and PCC elections scheduled for May 2021 people could never have imaged at the time that this country would still be facing a COVD-19 driven public health crisis almost a years later.
As the clock ticks down the opening of the nominating period in March the government has yet to publicly commit itself to the polls although media reports suggest that the elections are most likely to take place.
Yet almost every aspects of the electoral process from collecting nominating signatures, canvassing and the delivery of leaflets potentially falls foul of social distancing restrictions as well as exposing people to the risk of infection.
Candidates and party workers out canvassing will have no idea who is shielding let along in 10 days isolation and should not be disturbed.
The Liberal Party called for a postal ballot back in July 2021. This would have removed the dangers of infection for polling station staff and the public as well as those involved in the overnight counting and declaration of the results.
Not holding elections does produce a democratic deficit, candidates elected for 4 years have now served 5, but the Liberal Party believes a clear decision to postpone or the provision of a universal postal vote should now be made.