BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council is urging residents in the borough to take part in a review of polling station locations.

The borough council has launched a review into the suitability of all its polling day venues used during the elections and is urging residents to share their views.

Under the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013, all councils responsible for carrying out elections must carry out a review of its polling locations by January 2015.

Representative groups and organisations, including those who represent disabled people in the borough, are also being consulted as part of the review and suggestions for alternative venues are being welcomed.

Potential issues that the borough council wants to address include whether election venues are located close to where most voters in that area live, if the venue is served by good public transport links, and if the venue provides easy access and good parking for motorists.

The borough council also wants to hear any problems that people have experienced in accessing the buildings and getting to or using the polling stations inside.

Once the public consultation has ended on August 25, the three acting returning officers for the Basingstoke and Deane area will consider comments made from the public and will decide if there needs to be any changes to polling station locations.

Karen Brimacombe, the council’s corporate director and acting returning officer, said: “The council aims to provide places for people to vote that are within easy reach of where they live and are easy to access for everyone.

“This is not always easy and we are keen to hear if people have had any problems with getting to or into the buildings designated as polling places and to hear suggestions for alternative locations that might provide better access.”

The two-month consultation runs until Monday, August 25, and any changes needed to polling station locations are hoped to be implemented before next year’s General Election on May 7.