Voting is easy – and only takes two ticks

May 22 has arrived and voters across the borough are having their say on who represents them on Rochdale Borough Council and in the European Parliament.

If you’ve never voted before, it may seem a daunting process but Rochdale Borough Council is reassuring residents just how easy it is. Everyone who registered will have already been sent a polling card which will have details of where your nearest polling station is and when you can vote. Look out for it in the post.

The polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm giving everyone time to take five minutes to vote. When you arrive, the staff will take your name and address to check that you are on the register. You will be given two ballot papers – one for the local elections and one for the European.

Booths are provided to allow you to place your vote in private. Make sure you read the instructions carefully as your vote may not count if the ballot paper is filled in incorrectly. Once you have made your choices, drop it into one of the ballot boxes and you’re done. All that’s left is to wait for the results to roll in to see who will represent you for the next four years.

The results of the Local Election are set to be announced in the early hours of Friday morning and will be available at www.rochdale.gov.uk/elections. The European count will take place on Sunday 25 May with the results expected around 10pm after the polls have closed across Europe.

Returning Officer Jim Taylor said:

“Local councillors make decisions which affect many aspects of our residents’ day-to-day lives. For example, they make choices about schools and social services and can rule on planning applications and transport issues. The election is all about giving residents a voice to make politics in Rochdale what they want it to be.”

To find details of the candidates, the location of your nearest polling station and the results when announced, visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/elections .