Anyone wishing to stand for election to become Wiltshire’s next Police & Crime Commissioner will need to have all paperwork submitted by 16:00 on Friday 23 July.
Election will take place on Thursday 19 August with polls opening at 07:00 and closing at 22:00. Originally the election was held on 6 May, won by Wiltshire County Councillor Jonathon Seed, but he was then forced to withdraw after the election as he was deemed ineligible having been convicted of two imprisonable offences in the past. One of the stated criteria for acceptance as a candidate for this role is that no-one is eligible to stand if they hold such a conviction, irrespective of whether they were imprisoned or not.
So far Philip Wilkinson has been selected as the Conservative candidate whilst Lib dems have selected Wiltshire County Councillor Dr Brian Mathew as their candidate.
At the last election, Swindon Councillor and former Mayor Junab Ali stood as the Labour and Co-operative Party candidate, whilst Julian Malins stood as the Reform UK party candidate, and we believe that former Wiltshire Police Detective Mike Rees will be standing again as an independent. Once the final list of candidates has been announced we will publish the list.
But this does mean that all electors, or potential electors must ensure that they are registered to vote, i.e. on the electoral register and this must be done by midnight on Tuesday 3 August. If you are already on the register, then all you have to do is turn up at your designated Polling Station with your card, which will be posted out later.
If you wish to apply for a Postal Vote, this must be done so that it arrives before the deadline of 17:00 on Wednesday 4 August. Alternatively, people can nominate someone to vote on a person’s behalf and applications for this must be received by 11 August at 17:00.
Terence Herbert, Police Area Returning Officer for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: “It’s important to us to run a safe, smooth and democratic election.”
Adding: “Our elections team recently delivered the highest number of elections ever seen in Wiltshire, and given the pandemic, certainly the most complex. And having come out the other side of that successfully and professionally, the team is in a great frame of mind and ready for next month.
“The role of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the outcome of this election will have an impact on our day-to-day lives, so I’d encourage everyone to make sure voting is part of their summer plans.”
Arguably the election for Police and Crime Commissioner for the whole County of Wiltshire is more important than any election for Local Authority Councillors for either Swindon or Wiltshire. The role of PCC doesn’t just cover both Local Authority areas but it is the bridge between the community and the Police, and as such is responsible for setting Policing budgets and appointments of the most senior of Police in the force – the Chief Constable.
More information about the election can be found by clicking here.
George Lane crossing: Work to start on 19 July
