One week to go until the Cambs PCC Election

Reference: 

PR/25Apr16/1weekPCC

 

There are now just 7 days to go until voters across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough start flocking to the polling stations to choose their new Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Over a four-year term, the Police and Crime Commissioner oversees the running of local police forces, including appointing the Chief Constable, setting the local budget and deciding what the priorities should be for the police in their area.

Since November 2012, when the first PCC Election took place, this position has been held by Sir Graham Bright, who has decided not to run for a second term. This time, four candidates are set to compete for the influential and highly important role, in what is only the second ever PCC election.

These are Jason Ablewhite (The Conservative Party Candidate), Dave Baigent (Labour Party), Nick Clarke (UK Independence Party) and Rupert Moss-Eccardt (Liberal Democrats).

More information about each candidate can be found on the Choose My PCC website, or a hard copy of the candidates addresses (profiles) can be requested by emailing paro@eastcambs.gov.uk.

Polling will take place across Cambridgeshire & Peterborough on Thursday 5th May, with the count and declaration of the newly elected PCC taking place on Friday 6th May.

John Hill, the Police Area Returning Officer, responsible for the overall running of the election, said: “I would encourage absolutely everyone in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to vote on the 5th May.

The new PCC will help to oversee and shape our county’s police force over the next four years, the very organisation that helps to keep us safe, so it is vital that people play their part and cast their votes.

“It’s incredibly important that people understand what a PCC does, making important policing decisions for their area, and with just a 15% turnout last time around, we want to see as many people voting as possible.”

To show you’ll be voting, there is even a dedicated twibbon (twitter ribbon) you can add to your twitter or Facebook profile picture

For updates on the election as it progresses over the two days, follow @PCCCambs, @EastCambs, and look out for #CambsPCC. There will also be a live results graphic available to view via /elections-voting/pcc-election-live-results .

In addition, the declaration will be shown live as it happens on the East Cambridgeshire District Council YouTube channel.