LG electors urged to vote by post or at polling booths on Saturday

29/4/97

Postal voting looks likely to be the big winner in this year's local government elections, but Local Government Minister Paul Omodei has urged all electors to make sure they vote either by post or at the polling booths on Saturday.

"Postal voters have until the close of polling at 6 pm on Saturday to register their votes, but they would be wise to vote early to ensure there is no hold-up in the post," Mr Omodei said.

The Minister said councils which were conducting postal ballots for the first time were being well-rewarded for their decisions.

"I have been informed that Melville and Armadale, both newcomers to postal voting, already have about 30 per cent of votes in," he said.

"This is more than double the voter turn-out achieved in either Melville or Armadale last year.

"The best ward in Armadale last year had a 17 per cent poll and it is already up to 40 per cent this year, while Melville's best ward this year is already over 35 per cent, which is more than double the best ward figure last year.

"With votes still flowing in strongly, both councils can be optimistic about achieving better than 50 per cent polls."

(Early figures for other councils conducting postal ballots are not available today.)

Mr Omodei said councils which were not conducting postal ballots had an obligation to ensure that they publicised Saturday's elections as widely as possible in their areas to ensure that electors were aware of what was happening.

Media contact: Hugh Ryan 366 0200