Cllr Azhar Ali, Labour Group Leader at Lancashire County Council, is calling for all voters to be sent an early voting postal vote application form with a return envelope now.

He says it will reduce the risk of cross infection from Covid-19 - and ensure people have a safe option if they choose to vote in this year’s elections set for May.

This morning, he told QLocal: "Elections are the foundation of our democracy and people should not have to choose between voting and their health.

"People have a right to vote safely and early postal voting will enable them to do that. People can already put in for a postal vote, however many people believe this is still on medical grounds or being absent during voting time, which is no longer the case. In order to overcome any confusion every voter should be sent an early voting postal vote form by their local council along with a pre-paid return envelope so they can choose to use a postal vote.”

Following the cancelation of last year’s local elections and the Police and Crime Commissioner's election, both of which have been rolled over to coincide with the county council elections election in May, there is now growing speculation that this year’s election will be postponed.

Up to now the government has stated that they will go ahead as normal, but without any clarity regarding how this will be carried out and ensuring that those who want to vote can do so safely. However, the government assurance regarding decision making has recently been prone to last minute U turns, which has created chaos and confusion among the public.

Local council’s across Lancashire are now seeking assurances to enable them to plan for election while protecting the public and their staff who will be responsible for administering the elections during the pandemic. The cost of the extra safeguards that will be required in the election should not fall on local tax payers, the government should step up and provide the extra funding.

Cllr Azhar Ali went on to say “Dithering and delays by government have cost a lot more than money over the last year.

"What price democracy?”

Cllr Ali has also written to all political leaders and members of parliament in Lancashire regardless of their party or political persuasion asking them to support the supply of early postal vote application forms to all the electorate.