USE your vote in the forthcoming local authority elections.
That’s the message from Infrastructure Minister David Cretney MHK as 12 local authorities – out of the island’s 24 – prepare to go to the polls on Thursday, April 26.
There will be a total of 16 elections – including in four wards in Douglas and two in Ramsey. This is double the number of the last local elections in 2008.
Polling will take place in Andreas, Braddan, Castletown, Douglas (Athol Ward, Murray’s Ward, Victoria Ward and Hills Ward), German, Laxey, Lezayre, Malew, Michael, Port Erin, Port St Mary and Ramsey (North and South Ward).
Infrastructure Minister Mr Cretney said that local authorities played an important role in the island’s community.
Once elected, commissioners (or councillors in Douglas) make decisions in a number of areas, including refuse collection, street lighting, car parking, libraries and public conveniences.
The elections will give people in these areas the chance to make their voices heard and use their vote to elect who they feel are the best people to represent them. A number of areas are not having elections because too few people have stood. There aren’t even enough candidates to fill the seats in Onchan, for example.
Mr Cretney said: ‘These elections can have a major impact and I would encourage everybody to use their vote on April 26.’
Local authority elections are held every four years.
The deadline for candidates to deliver their nominations was on March 29.
To find out more about how to vote, including details on how to apply for absent votes, visit {http://www.gov.im/transport/msd/local/elections.xml|www.gov.im/transport/msd/local/elections.xml} or contact your local authority directly.
• What do you think? Do our local authorities do a good job? Do we have too many of them? Do we need them at all? Email your view to {mailto:opinions@newsiom.co.im|opinions(at)newsiom.co.im}.