The Government has introduced new measures to ensure people needing to self-isolate will still be allowed to vote in the upcoming local elections.
It has made an amendment to emergency proxy voting rules to enable anyone self-isolating or shielding due to COVID-19 to access an emergency proxy vote up to 17:00 on election day.
Minister of state for the constitution & devolution, Chloe Smith, said: ‘These elections can and will be delivered in a COVID-secure way and the extended proxy voting rules are a key part of this.
’The new rules 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 home.’
The Government has published a Delivery Plan setting out guidance on how the polls can be delivered safely, and will be publishing further guidance on campaigning shortly.
