Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to make provision for (1) the suspension, or (2) the cancellation, of polls on 6 May in the event of a local emergency, including a local surge in COVID-19 cases resulting from an outbreak of a new variant which spreads rapidly, in a particular (a) polling district, (b) electoral division, (c) local authority, and (d) mayoral or police commissioner election; and who will have the authority to make such decisions under any such plans.

Democracy should not be cancelled because of covid. The Government has confirmed that the set of local and Police and Crime Commissioner elections scheduled for May will go ahead, and made a firm commitment that the Government will support the sector to deliver them.

The Government has published a clear Delivery Plan for the May elections, setting out how the Government will support local elections teams to deliver effective polls that are covid-secure for voters and staff.

Proxy voting rules will be changed, enabling those who need to self-isolate to request an emergency proxy vote at short notice - right up to 5pm on polling day itself. This will mean that voters who have tested positive for COVID-19, or are self isolating, can still have their say in these elections without having to leave their residence.

It is an offence to provide false information on any voter registration form or any form requesting an absent vote. Information will have to be taken at face value as not all electors will be able to produce evidence. For example, some electors will be self-isolating due to contact with others. Others may show symptoms too late to be tested or otherwise have symptoms and are unable to produce a positive test.

Further guidance for all those involved in the elections will be available in due course and well in advance of the polls.