THE CHIEF executive of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils said last night he should have appointed a specialist printer to supply polling cards for local elections.
David Buckle, returning officer for both councils, made the admission as a joint scrutiny committee grilled him on the damning report into election blunders on May 5.
The report by local democracy consultant Tim Revell revealed 2,035 postal votes were not delivered, while more than 2,250 polling cards were never printed. The councils hired Wearside-based Paragon Group UK Ltd to print election material, despite the firm not having specialist electoral experience.
Mr Buckle said: “Do I wish in hindsight that I had sought quotes from specialsed printers? Yes, I wish I had done.”
SODC leader Ann Ducker said afterwards: “I do regret what happened and I feel confident we will do all we can to ensure it does not happen again.”
Mr Revell’s report also highlighted inadequate planning and poor organisation of the count at Thame leisure centre.
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