Safety measures introduced to allow Covid-secure voting in local elections - The Rugby Observer

Safety measures introduced to allow Covid-secure voting in local elections

Rugby Editorial 5th May, 2021   0

VOTERS in this week’s local elections have been urged to follow safety measures introduced at polling stations to ensure votes can be cast in a Covid-secure environment.

Rugby Borough Council’s elections team has worked with the Electoral Commission, the government and public health chiefs while planning for the elections tomorrow (Thursday May 6).

Safety measures have been under constant review to ensure precautions meet the latest public health guidance, while voters have been encouraged to help keep polling stations Covid-secure by bringing a pen or pencil to cast votes and wearing a face mask, unless exempt.

Measures which will be in place on polling day include separate entrances and exits, altered layouts to allow for social distancing while waiting to vote, polling station staff wearing PPE, hand sanitiser when entering the polling station, regular cleaning of polling booths and single-use pencils.




Aftab Razzaq, Returning Officer for Rugby, said: “Our preparations for the local elections have taken place over many months with regular input from the Electoral Commission, the government and public health experts.

“We have organised a range of safety measures to ensure voters can visit polling stations with confidence, and I’d encourage voters to play their part by bringing a pencil or pen to cast their vote and wearing a face mask, unless exempt.


“The safety measures may mean voters have to wait longer to cast their vote, so I’d also encourage voters to consider visiting polling stations outside of traditionally busy periods.”

Peak voting times at polling stations include 7am-9.30am, lunchtime, 3.30pm-4.30pm and 6pm-8pm.

Polling stations open from 7am-10pm, with all voters queuing to vote at 10pm allowed to cast a ballot.

Elections taking place tomorrow (Thursday May 6) include Rugby Borough Council, Warwickshire County Council, and Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

Visit www.rugby.gov.uk/elections for polling station locations and more information.

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