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Welsh Government ‘remain committed’ to Senedd election being held on 6 May as scheduled

26 Feb 2021 2 minute read
The Senedd. Picture by tthe National Assembly (CC BY 2.0).

The Welsh Government have said that they remain committed to the Senedd election being held on May 6 as scheduled.

However, they still consider delivering leaflets and campaigning door to door to be outside the bounds of a “reasonable excuse” to leave home.

They said that the First Minister will decide before 24 March whether he intends to exercise his power to propose the postponement of the poll.

Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government, said in a statement that Welsh Ministers had completed their first review of the preparations for the holding of the poll.

“In summary, the result of the review is that we remain committed to the election being held on 6 May as scheduled, alongside local authority by elections as determined by Returning Officers, and also the Police and Crime Commissioner elections which are the responsibility of the UK Government,” she said.

“As the public health situation is currently gradually improving, the postponement of the Senedd election is not reasonably anticipated at this time. Everybody must prepare on this basis.

“The next statutory review of preparations for 2021 Senedd election is due to be completed by 12 March and I will lay a further statement as soon as reasonably practicable after its completion.

“The First Minister will also lay a statement in accordance with section 6 of the Bill on or before 24 March setting out whether he intends to exercise his power under that section to propose postponement of the poll.

“It is important to note that our position on campaigning has not changed at this stage, as there is not sufficient headroom to adjust existing restrictions at present.

“This means that although it is a reasonable excuse to leave home for essential work purposes related to elections (for example if you are part of an electoral services team), to comply with legal obligations connected to elections (for example collecting signatures for a nomination), or to vote, it is not a reasonable excuse to leave home to deliver leaflets or campaign door-to-door.”

 

 

 


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