Election staff bid to beat post strike

Oct 10 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

COUNCIL staff are delivering 400 postal ballot forms to homes in Ellesmere Port amid continuing industrial action from Royal Mail workers.

The step has been taken following concerns this week’s strike will delay the delivery of postal votes for the Rossmore by-election on Thursday, October 18.

Speculation about further industrial action next week has also led Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council to set up alternative arrange-ments for the return of postal votes.

Electors can drop off their completed ballot papers and security statement at the council offices main reception in Ellesmere Port any day except Saturday and Sunday up until Thursday October 18.

Alternatively, they can deliver their postal vote to one of the polling stations between 7am and 10pm on the day of the election.

Acting Elections Officer Martin Hughes said: “It’s unfortunate that the by-election has coincided with this industrial action but we are doing everything possible to provide postal voters with alternative ways of getting their vote to us on time.

“I’d like to thank voters in the Rossmore ward for their patience and understanding in this matter.”