Campaign not from Stratford District Council

Residents across Warwickshire are being warned that a campaign mailing on the forthcoming Alternative Vote referendum is not being sent out from their local council.

Stratford-on-Avon District Council stress that a mailing from the campaign for the 'Yes' vote is not from them and they do not endorse any referendum campaign material.

The poster and application form, which has been sent to a huge number of residents across the county, provides the local council's address, which may suggest that the council are behind the letter.

Darren Whitney, Democratic Services Manager at Stratford District Council says: “We want to make it clear to our residents that the District Council has not issued any campaign mailing and the District Council is not providing support to the 'Yes' or the 'No' campaigns.

“The poster and application form is causing confusion among residents who are mistakenly thinking the District Council has issued the publicity. It is also causing confusion for those voters who have already registered for a postal vote as it looks like the District Council is asking them to do it again."

The mailing causes further confusion as it only offers the chance to register for a postal vote for the referendum – and not the local elections, which are also taking place on the same day.

The District Council is therefore urging voters to check they are registered to have their say in the local district and parish elections and the first UK-wide referendum in over 30 years on Thursday, 5 May.

The Electoral Commission, who is responsible for the organisation of the AV Referendum, is aware of the campaign and has advised all Local Authorities that the forms comply with legislation and, provided they are completed correctly and within the required timescale, they are acceptable.

Electors on the register who wish to vote by post or appoint a proxy will need to apply before the following dates:

• Postal voting applications 5pm on 14 April 2011
• Proxy voting applications 5pm on 21 April 2011