Make sure you can have your say on 3 May

Vote - Election 2012

Residents are being reminded to make sure they are registered to vote to have a say in the local elections later this year.

On Thursday May 3 local elections will take place throughout the borough, but you must be on the electoral register to vote for your choice of councillor to represent the area you live in. The deadline to be registered for the elections is Tuesday April 17.

If you won't be able to get to the polling station on that date, you may apply for a postal or proxy vote. The closing date to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 17 April, and if you are applying for a proxy vote the deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 24 April.

Linda Fisher, Director of Corporate Services at Rochdale Borough Council said there is still time to register and make sure you get a say in the local government elections if you take steps now:

“Our Electoral Services team will do all they can in the coming weeks to make sure people get their chance to vote. It’s simple to register, and you’ll be able to help choose the people that make the decisions which affect your everyday life.”

Residents are able to vote in local government elections if they have registered to vote and are a British or Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of a European Union country living in the UK.

To check that you are on the register or to get a form to register to vote visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/elections phone 01706 924758 or email elections@rochdale.gov.uk

Details of the candidates standing in your area and your nearest polling station will be available at www.rochdale.gov.uk/elections from 5 April.