Frontline council services could be disrupted during elections as staff are drafted in to run polling stations and conduct counts, chief executives have warned.
The House of Lords’ Constitution Committee heard staffing remained the greatest concern for returning officers.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council’s chief executive and returning officer Graham Farrant said last year they had relied on volunteers from neighbouring Dorset to help run elections, which will not be possible when both areas have polls at the General Election.
He said the last resort would be to make it mandatory for council staff to switch to covering elections.
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