5 May is a big day for local democracy – we get to vote for the Mayor and for councillors across the Borough.

By law all, the candidates have to have their nominations submitted by 5 April, but the key date for residents is 14 April. That’s the deadline for getting your right to vote by putting your name and address on the electoral register – if you don’t sign up you can’t vote.

People can register on line at gov.uk/registertovote. It’s easy to do and is supposed to be a five minute process.

If you have registered and have voted before, it might be best to check up where you go to vote, as there have been boundary changes, particularly in areas like Canning Town.

The number of electoral wards has been increased from 21 to 24. You can check up on newham.gov.uk/pollingstationfinder.

If you would prefer a postal vote, the deadline date to apply is 19 April. Again, you can apply online via postal.vote@newham.gov.uk. You will receive your ballot paper by post, about 11 days before polling day.

If you are interested to know about all the candidates who will be standing, lists will be displayed at East Ham and Stratford Libraries and, of course, online on the Newham website from 7 April.

You will receive an official poll card addressed to you, if you are eligible to vote.

This will give details of your polling station. The main batch will be delivered on 1 April. People registering in April will receive their poll card later.

But it’s not an obligation to bring your card along to the polling station.

The Council officer will simply look up your name on the register, cross off your entry, and hand you your ballot slip. The names and political party details of the candidates will be on the ballot slip.

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