It is just a matter of hours before polls open for the two Crewe West Ward elections, and to decide the Police Commissioner for our county.

Cheshire East Council is urging Crewe voters to get ready to cast their votes in a COVID-safe manner.

It is to ensure polling stations will be safe places to vote on 6 May.

People voting in person are encouraged to keep themselves and others safe by wearing a face covering (unless exempt), as well as bringing their own pen to mark their vote.

It is also recommended for Crewe voters to clean their hands when entering the polling station, and keeping a safe distance from others.

Voters should not attend the polling station if they have symptoms of COVID-19, or if they have been asked to self-isolate.

Cheshire East Council are the owners of many polling station buildings, and their chief executive Lorraine O'Donnell had this to say:

"Your poll card will tell you where to find your polling station. Make sure you check the information on your polling card, as your polling station might have changed since the last elections."

The Returning Officer for elections in the borough added: "You do not need your poll card to vote, however, we encourage you to bring it with you to make the process quicker and more efficient.

"Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 6 May. Voters who have opted to vote by post must return their postal ballot pack by 10pm – and they can hand it in at their polling station if they don't have time to return it by post."

Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance at the Electoral Commission, said: "If you are voting in person, make sure you remember to bring your face covering and a pen or pencil with you. At the polling station, help keep yourself and others safe by following the safety measures, including sanitising your hands and keeping a safe distance from others.

"If you are self-isolating or become unwell as a result of Covid-19, you don't need to lose your vote. You will be able to apply for an emergency proxy vote so that someone you trust can vote on your behalf."

While the deadline to apply for a proxy vote passed on the 27 April, emergency proxy votes will be available up until 17:00 on election day if voters need to self-isolate.

For further information on how to apply for an emergency proxy, voters should contact the electoral registration team at Cheshire East Council on 0300 123 5016.

Electoral Commission guidance[ encourages "all voters to wear a face covering in order to keep themselves and others safe. Polling station staff will have spare face coverings available for anyone who forgets to bring one.

"Polling station staff will not prevent voters from entering a polling station and voting if they do not wear a face covering."

For further information on elections in their area, voters can visit the Electoral Commission website.

We will find out the results to most votes by Friday, which includes Cheshire's Police Commissioner poll.

Labour's David Keane will contest his current position to Jo Conchie of the Liberal Democrats, John Dwyer from the Conservatives, and Nick Goulding of Reform UK.

The borough council election in Crewe West will contest seven candidates.

These are Independent Roy Cartilidge, Melanie English for the Green Party, Chris McGrane of the Workers Party of Britain, Connor Naismith for Labour and Brian Silvester for Putting Crewe First - Independent Residents Group.

Completing the crowded field of potential Cheshire East councillors for Crewe West are Teja Vaddala for Local Conservatives and Paul Weaver for Liberal Democrats.

The Crewe Town Council parish election in Crewe West will be contested by just four candidates.

These are Benjamin Wye for the Labour Party, along with the same Green, Local Conservatives and Putting Crewe First candidates as for the borough election.

You can find our article about all the Crewe West candidates here.

Happy voting Crewe!

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