Time is ticking away for people in Stafford Borough to register to be able to vote in next month’s election.

Stafford Borough Council will be running a poll on Thursday 2 May for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC).

The role of the PFCC is to set the priorities for the police and fire services in Staffordshire - holding the chief officers to account.

And the last day to register to be able to take part in the elections is Tuesday 16 April and residents can find out how by going to www.staffordbc.gov.uk/how-do-you-register-to-vote.

Residents wanting to vote will need to show identification at polling stations. A full list of accepted forms of ID can be found at Voter ID | Electoral Commission - and people who do not have any of the accepted identification have until Wednesday 24 April to apply for a free ‘Voter Authority Certificate’ at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate.

You can apply for a postal vote until Wednesday 17 April at www.gov.uk/apply-postal-vote.

Electoral Returning Officer, Tim Clegg, who is the Chief Executive of the Borough Council, urged people to make sure they were registered to vote to take part in the elections.

“Democracy is something you only miss when it is not there. Taking part in these elections gives you the opportunity to choose who you want as Staffordshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner – and there is only a short period of time left to ensure you are able to vote so I’d encourage everyone to register if they have not already.”

He added “It only takes a few minutes to register online to vote and it is very straightforward. There will be a polling station near to wherever you live or you can have a postal vote.”

For more information go to www.staffordbc.gov.uk/elections or email elections@staffordbc.gov.uk or call 01785 619 424.

Press Release No 6115