ARRANGEMENTS for May’s elections have been confirmed by BCP Council. 

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole residents will go to the polls on May 2 to vote for who they want to be the next police and crime commissioner. 

PCCs aim to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service within their police force area – here being Dorset Police. 

The role is elected by the public to hold chief constables and the police force to account on their behalf. 

PCCs are elected using the First Past the Post system. Residents vote for one candidate and the candidate with the most votes becomes PCC.  

Residents in the wider Dorset Council and New Forest area will vote for a PCC as well as local elections for councillors on May 2. 

But here in the BCP area, there will be one by-election to vote for a new councillor in the Canford Cliffs ward following the unexpected and instant resignation of May Haines. 

To vote at either election residents must bring an accepted form of photo ID with them to the polling station.  

Without an accepted form of photo ID, residents won’t be able to cast their vote at the polling station.  

Accepted forms of ID include a passport, driving licence and some bus passes. Residents can also show expired ID, as long as they are still recognisable from the photo. 

BCP Council chief executive Graham Farrant said it is “very important” residents exercise their right to vote and have their say. 

He said: “It may seem early but checking that you have an accepted form of photo ID now means you will be ready to vote in May.  

“You will also be ready for the next general election, which we know must take place sometime in the next 10 months.”  

From now, until after the elections on May 2, BCP Council is in a ‘pre-election period’ or purdah, during which the council must legally comply with certain codes of practice.   

Mr Farrant added: “Whilst the pre-election period is in place councillors and officers will be carefully considering the impact of any events or proposals that might influence public support for a political party.   

“Because of this, normal protocols around the work BCP Council does are restricted and particular care is taken over any communications.   

“At the same time the daily business of local government and its decision-making continues, and residents should know that the core services we provide, such as bin collections, are not affected.”