One of three Welshpool polling stations won’t be open

Welshpool Town Hall is one of 15 polling stations that won’t be opening for the council elections this Thursday due to a lack of interest in people running for local office, but two will be operating as normal.

Powys County Council has revealed that due to a low number of candidates, 15 polling stations across the county have been axed, including the town hall due to the Llanerchydol Ward seat being uncontested.

However, voters will still go to the polls in Welshpool for the Castle and Gungrog wards, where votes can be cast at the Methodist Church (Castle) and The Flash (Gungrog).

There will not be any Welshpool Town Council elections running alongside the county council elections due to not enough candidates being nominated for an election, meaning that those putting their names forward are automatically selected, with others to be co-opted to fill the gaps at a later date.

It’s also a grim picture numbers-wise in several surrounding villages where seats in Llanfechain, Llangedwyn, Llanrhaeadr-Ym-Mochnant, Llansantffraid and Llansilin are uncontested so polling stations there won’t be opening.

The announcement by Powys County Council has confused voters so the message is clear for voters to check their polling cards to see where they can cast their vote.

One Welshpool campaigner for a Welshpool seat told us that there was confusion on thew doorstep this weekend in the town.

“Authority elections have always had a low turnout but by Powys telling people that traditional polling stations will be closed for this election, the problem will be worse,” said Paul Wixey, Welshpool Labour Party Agent.

Powys Returning Officer, Dr Caroline Turner, said: “On Thursday, voters will have the opportunity to vote for who they think is the best candidate to represent their community on the council for the next five years.

“Who you vote for is entirely between you and the ballot paper but, if you are eligible to take part in these elections, I would encourage you to use your vote so your council is truly representative of the wishes of your community.

“The council delivers important services such as social care, education, highways maintenance and bin collections so it is important you have your say on who your council representative is by using your right to vote.”