Downton & Redlynch by-election

Published by webmaster for Salisbury District Council in Communities

The by-election for the Downton and Redlynch Ward arising from the death of Cllr Mrs Peach will, if constested, be held on Thursday 16th November.

The timing of the election has important implications for those who may have just applied for registration.

At present the Annual Canvass of Electors in taking place, and the updated register will not be published until the week commencing 27th November. This means that the register of electors that will be used for the election will be the one in force on 1st September.

One of the possible effects of this is that someone who has recently moved into the area, and who has completed the canvass form, will find that their name does not yet appear on the register and they will be ineligible to vote. Conversley, someone who has recently moved away from Downton and Redlynch could still legally vote in the poll.

Poll cards will be sent to all eligible electors in due course.

David Crook, Acting Chief Executive at Salisbury District Council and Returning Officer for the election said; “This is an unfortunate effect of the timing of the election following the sad death of Cllr Peach.

We are legally bound to call the election within a specified period. At the same time, regulations in effect freeze the Register whilst the revised version is being prepared during the Annual Canvass. In this instance, we have had to call the election before the new register has been published.”

All Salisbury District Council seats will be up for election again in May 2007 when the four-yearly poll takes place.

In the meantime, anyone interested in standing for the Downton vacancy can obtain nomination papers from the Returning Officer, The Council House, Bourne Hill, Salisbury, SP1 3UZ.  Nomination Papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer at The Council House by no later than noon on Friday 20 October 2006.

ENDS

Press release issued 10th October 2006