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Millions of people to see their local council elections delayed
More than one-third of England's councils have requested election delays due to local government reorganization and concerns over election delivery capacity, the Association of Electoral Administrators said.
- On Thursday, at least 27 local authorities asked to postpone May 7 elections ahead of a Thursday midnight deadline, with ministers at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government expected to decide soon.
- The government is reorganising the two-tier system into unitary councils, leading councils to argue electing short-lived district and county councils is impractical as councillors face short terms.
- The AEA's compilation names district councils including Basildon, Blackburn with Darwen and Cheltenham, and county councils like Adur and Chichester, with most Labour-led, three Conservative-led, and one Liberal Democrat-led.
- Political backlash accelerated with threats of legal challenges as opposition critics accused ministers of `running scared` and the Electoral Commission warned capacity is not a valid reason to postpone elections.
- Ministers previously told 63 local authorities they could authorise delays if warranted, and Peter Stanyon, chief executive of the Association of Electoral Administrators, warned time is ticking before notices of election at the end of March, with a government decision expected after Thursday's cut-off.
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Great Yorkshire Radio
Great Yorkshire RadioLocal elections 2026: Over a third of councils offered a delay have requested one - is yours on the list?
Eighteen of the 24 councils that have confirmed to Sky News that they will be seeking a delay to their May elections are led by Labour. Opposition parties are furious at the potential delays.
·United Kingdom
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Politics LIVE: Four million Britons to have elections cancelled TODAY as Nigel Farage issues urgent warning
Four million Britons are set to be denied a chance to vote in the May local elections today.In total, 27 councils are expected to ask to postpone their polls before Thursday's deadline - including 21 run by Labour.Twenty-one councils already have, 34 will not - and eight were still to confirm their position as of Wednesday night.Last month, ministers told 63 local authorities they would green-light election delays if there were "genuine concerns…
·London, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources14
Leaning Left1Leaning Right1Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution72% Center
Bias Distribution
- 72% of the sources are Center
72% Center
14%
C 72%
14%
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