People in one area of Merseyside were surprised this morning when they were turned away from their local polling stations.
As residents of the L30 area of Sefton headed out to cast their vote at venues usually adopted as polling stations, they were told they would not be able to take part in the Sefton Council elections this year. This caused a bit of confusion.
It turns out there is an explanation. The area in question forms what is called the St Oswald ward on Sefton Council. Usually elections for councillors in this ward would use buildings like the Netherton Activity Centre (pictured) for people to cast their votes.
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But that wasn't the case today. A sign in place at the centre states: "Notice of Uncontested Election. Due to only one candidate being nominated in St Oswald Ward, no election will be held in this polling station."
An uncontested ward is where only one candidate has put themselves forward to fight for a seat. With only one candidate standing there is no voting process and the person nominated is automatically elected.
A notice on Sefton Council's website makes clear that as the Labour Party's Carla Thomas was the only candidate to put herself forward for the St Oswald seat, she has already been automatically elected as the councillor for the ward.
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On April 5, Cllr Thomas tweeted to confirm her election. She said: "It's a genuine honour & privilege to be given notice from Sefton Council that I have been duly elected to represent the St Oswald Ward."
There was some frustration from local residents about what they said was a lack of awareness that the seat in their local area would be uncontested this year. One local told the ECHO: "We had no notice until turning up and seeing a printed sign on doors. Nothing on the news, no information given. Older people will be spending their time and in some cases money for taxis to come vote only to be sent away."
Sefton Council said the situation was made clear on its website. A statement on the council site states: "An uncontested ward is where only one candidate is put forward and does not have to face a voting process. They are considered uncontested and are duly elected to a seat on Sefton Council. This year one ward is uncontested", before providing details of the St Oswald result.
There are many other Sefton Council seats that are being voted on today. We will be providing all the updates, results and reaction as the elections progress.
