Election? What election?
A large majority of people appear to be unaware they will be able to vote for Leicestershire's first elected police and crime commissioner in two months' time.
A poll of 150 people by the Leicester Mercury found that 82 per cent did not know about the election – which will take place on November 15 – or what the job will entail.
Furthermore, 74 per cent of those who took part in the poll in the city centre last week said they did not intend to vote.
The police commissioner – who will earn approximately £70,000 a year – will replace the police authority, which has set police budgets, appointed senior officers and scrutinised the force's performance.
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Leicestershire's three candidates said they were concerned but not surprised by the results. The Electoral Reform Society has predicted 18.5 per cent of people would vote.
Labour's Sarah Russell, assistant mayor of Leicester, said: "The Government needs to be thinking of ways of raising awareness because we are only a couple of months away from the election. I have been into every constituency and all I'm hitting is people who don't understand the role.
"At the moment, we have no idea how many are going to vote."
Conservative candidate, retired Air Chief Marshal Sir Clive Loader, said: "The candidates are doing everything we can to talk to as many people as possible and to get the public debate going. I hope the Government can do that.
"The Leicester Mercury has already done a lot to raise awareness, but hopefully the national and other local media will do so, too."
Independent candidate Suleman Nagdi, a Leicester businessman and community worker, said: "It is worrying that so few people know about the election and have indicated they intend not to use their votes. Nobody wants to be elected to such an important post with a share of such a small proportion of the community."
Comments
by Rajjan
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 8:37PM
“I think there should be a boarder line how many minimum voters must turned up for vote, otherwise scrap the scheme all together and let the system carryon as it is.”
by jimbob6163
Monday, September 10 2012, 8:35PM
“Is Peter Soulsby standing if so I will vote no o but a chance to vote no to a Lord Mayor not many want”
by LikeItaLot
Monday, September 10 2012, 6:04PM
“Wait for the brain deads who ask why they did not have a ote. Remember those who asked why they did not have a vote for Soulsby as Mayor - what they meant was why not a vote for the OFFICE OF MAYOR.
But it will not stop them.”
by Hamilton_Paul
Monday, September 10 2012, 3:00PM
“I think it all depends on what powers the post has. Reading the books Wasting Police Time and Wasting more Police Time are real eye openers! If the police commissioner can action some of issues police officers highlight when they could be a real plus.”
by leicestersing
Monday, September 10 2012, 2:45PM
“In order to be able to vote, you need to be registered with your local council- it is amazing how many people loose that opportunity for democracy by not completing the electoral registration form- either by phone, online, or someone may even call at your door and help you fill it in. Deadline is next Monday, so get on with it!!!”
by Ciaranfagan
Monday, September 10 2012, 2:22PM
“Sorry, those addresses came out funny. The first is Sir Clive, then Sarah, then Suleman. The fourth address is a general info site.
Ciaran”
by Ciaranfagan
Monday, September 10 2012, 2:20PM
“Hello, the online version of muy story omitted the candidates' wesbites.
(Ciaran the crime reporter)
http://tinyurl.com/979esrr
http://tinyurl.com/8g977km
http://tinyurl.com/9v9mhyw
General information can be found at:
http://tinyurl.com/9d9gptk”
by Peter20101
Monday, September 10 2012, 11:43AM
“Ciaran, thanks for the reply, but with just a small amount of time to go, it is surpriseing that not many people know about this.
I am not aware of each candidates qualifications for the role and thie manifesto (if thats the right word)
My suggestion was based on my knowledge (or lack of it) of each candidates suitability, as well as the feedback from the survey that the LM, asking 150 people, wrote the article about
if it has been done, then so be it, but it seems the message is not getting across to voters - I will of course vote, but for whom, I havent got a clue, as I dont know who is best qualified for the job - hence my suggestion”
by CGLee
Monday, September 10 2012, 11:40AM
“In fairness to Ciaranfagan and the LM team, this has been covered at some length by the paper over the past few months, and the candidates have set out their intentions, which has been published in the LM. The coverage has been unbiased too, which is refreshing for a newspaper.
Watch this space!”
by leicester
Monday, September 10 2012, 11:15AM
“Lets see the manifesto of the candidates.Thats it really.
Personaly I do not believe we need one.But will vote,as we all should.
Would I vote for a councillor that has done nothing for her community?
NO!”