MEASURES are being put in place to ensure polling stations will be Covid secure ahead of local elections next month.

Voters will have to wear a mask, use hand sanitiser and observe social distancing when voting at West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) elections on May 6.

Voters are also encouraged to bring their own pen or pencil on the day.

Meanwhile, some polling stations have had to change so voters are being urged to check their poll cards to make sure they know where their polling station is.

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Keith Butler, returning officer for WODC, said: “We are taking all the steps needed to make sure voters this year are safe at the polling stations and feel comfortable voting in person.

“People will by now be familiar with the precautions we must all take to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and our polling stations will be no different.

“If people can bring their own masks and pens, we would really appreciate it.

“As a final reminder, I would urge everyone wanting to vote to make sure they have registered ahead of the required deadlines so that they have the chance to have their say in this year’s local elections.

“For anyone interested in voting by post this year, they need to make sure we have received their application for their postal vote before 5pm on April 20.

“We are quickly approaching the deadline and I would encourage people to sign up sooner rather than later.”

Residents can register to vote through the Government website.

To be able to vote by proxy – somebody voting on your behalf – applications must be in by 5pm on April 27.

Application forms for postal and proxy voting can be downloaded from the Electoral Commission website, or voters can visit the council website.

Alternatively, contact the council on 01993 861410.