Blair: Postal voting is on track
The Prime Minister has said that the distribution of postal ballot papers is on schedule.
But Tony Blair also admitted that he was aware of concerns about delays.
This year’s June 10th elections will see all postal voting trialled in the North West, the North East, Yorkshire, Humberside and the East Midlands.
It is hoped the experiment will increase voter turn out.
Last year’s local elections saw a worryingly low turnout of 35 per cent.
Ballot papers are expected to be sent out to the returning officers in the regions this week.
At Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQs) Conservative MP Tim Boswell said that he had been notified that a northern printing firm had failed to print the ballot papers on time.
Responding Mr Blair said that he believed that the dispatch was still on track.
He admitted, though, that he had received reports of some delays, which he pledged to look into.
Mr Blair also expressed his confidence that the returning officers would rise to the challenge.
The Royal Mail is responsible for delivering the 14 million ballot papers, but it has been dogged recently by accusations of lost mail.
Postwatch claims that around 14.5 million items are lost or mis-delivered a year.
Royal Mail bosses have said special arrangements have been introduced to ensure the safe delivery of the ballot forms.
They have designed the envelopes so they can be sorted automatically and appointed dedicated staff to the voting operation.
