First ever vote for police commissioner (From Tivyside Advertiser)

First ever vote for police commissioner

10:07am Thursday 8th November 2012 in News

Voters in the Dyfed-Powys Police Force Area will be going to the polls next Thursday in the first ever Police and Crime Commissioner election.

In England and Wales 41 police force areas will be electing Commissioners.

As there are only two candidates in Dyfed Powys, the Police and Crime Commissioner for the area will be elected using the ‘first past the post system’ which is used at UK Parliamentary Elections.

Voters will be asked to mark one cross by the name of the candidate they want to win.

Voting will also be talking place in local authority areas – Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys – which comprise the Dyfed Powys Police Force area.

Votes will be counted on Friday, November 16. at four centres: Llanelli, Aberaeron, Llandrindod Wells and Fishguard.

After each centre has completed its count, the results will be forwarded to Fishguard - which will also act as the police area count centre - where the overall result will be declared.

Mr Bryn Parry-Jones, the Police Area Returning Officer for Dyfed Powys, said: “In less than a week voters will have the chance to elect their Police and Crime Commissioner.

“I encourage voters to check in advance where their polling station is and plan what time they intend to cast their vote. For those voting by post, it’s important to fill in your ballot paper privately and return it as soon as possible.”

Kay Jenkins, head of the Electoral Commission’s Wales Office, said: “Every household should have received our booklet with information on what a Police and Crime Commissioner’s role involves, and how to complete the ballot paper.

“There is more information on our website, www.aboutmyvote.co.uk , or you can call our helpline on 0800 3 280 280.”