New election date set for June

The Carlisle City Council election in the Upperby ward has been delayed until Thursday, 12 June, after the City Council’s Returning Officer was notified that one of the candidates had died.

BNP candidate, Leslie Griffiths’ death on Saturday 19 April, resulted in the poll being countermanded and the May 1st election for the Upperby ward cannot go ahead as planned.

A fresh election must be held within 35 working days of 1st May. A date of Thursday, 12 June has been set. The four polling stations in Upperby – St. Margaret Mary’s Social Club, the CDC building adjacent to Upperby School, St. John’s Ambulance Centre on Scalegate Road and Petteril Bank Community Centre - will be open to voters between 7am and 10pm on this date.

Polling cards and postal votes were sent to all voters last week. Letters are in the process of being sent to all the 4,097 electors within the Upperby ward making them aware of the new arrangements. Voters will be asked to destroy the polling card/postal vote for the May 1st (as these are now invalid and cannot be used for the June 12 election).

New applications to vote by post must be received by 5pm on Wednesday, 28 May. Residents wanting to apply to vote by post can request application forms by telephoning 01228 817555 or 01228 817556 or by emailing elections@carlisle.gov.uk

The Notice of Election will be published on Wednesday, 7 May and nominations will close at noon on Thursday, 15 May. The current candidates do not have to submit fresh nominations and will automatically become candidates at the new election, unless they wish to withdraw.

The Election count for the Upperby ward will be held at Civic Centre, the first ballot boxes are expected to arrive soon after the polling stations close at 10pm.