Only days left to register if you want to vote in the elections on May 5

People who hope to have a say in next month’s UK elections have only a few days to register to vote. Competitions are held on May 5 in all four nations, in Scotland, Wales, London and many parts of England, and all council seats, with the election of a new Assembly for Northern Ireland.

But people who have not yet registered to vote, or are not sure of their eligibility, have little time to apply. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the deadline for registering a vote is one week on April 14, while in Scotland the deadline is April 18.

Most seats were finally contested for the May 5 election in 2018, when the UK was still in the European Union, with Prime Minister Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn’s Labor Party and Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable. The UK’s political landscape has undergone massive changes over the past four years.

However, many of the issues that local elections may address remain the same, such as garbage collection, the condition of neighborhood parks and sidewalks, and access to libraries and hospitals. This year’s elections are also likely to be a verdict on the leaders of the major parties and their resolution of national issues such as Covid-19 and the cost of living.

It will be the first major election test for Prime Minister Boris Johnson since the Partigate scandal. Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Dave are being questioned whether their parties will be able to make money at the Conservatives’ expense.

In Scotland and Wales, the SNP and Plaid Cymru both want to maintain their position amid the challenges of the British parties. And across the country, smaller groups like the Greens, resident associations and independents hope to create surprises and problems.

Elsa Irwin, Director of Administration and Leadership for the Electoral Commission, said: “With only one week left to register, time is running out to make sure you can stand for election in May. This election is an important opportunity to make your voice heard and to give a say in who you represent on issues that directly impact your daily life. .

“Registration is quick and easy: it only takes five minutes online at www.gov.uk/registertovote. All you need is your name, date of birth and National Insurance number.

“If you have just started voting or moved home, it is especially important to make sure that you are registered correctly. “If you registered to vote in the last election and your details did not change, you do not need to take any action.”

Elections will be held on Thursday 5 May:

– All local governments in Scotland, Wales and London

The Mayor of South Yorkshire Regional and Barnsley and Sheffield County Councils

– 60 counties, 31 metropolitan areas and 19 unitary authorities in the rest of England

County councils in North Yorkshire and Somerset

All 90 seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly

– Local mayors of Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Tor Hamlet and Watford

Bristol is also holding a referendum on retaining or abolishing the city’s elected mayor.

Here are the key dates for voting day on May 5:

April 12: Deadline for mail or dummy ballot applications in Northern Ireland.

April 14: Voting deadline in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

April 18: Deadline for voting in Scotland.

April 19: Deadline for postal voting in England, Scotland and Wales.

26 April: Deadline in England, Scotland and Wales to submit a request for a proxy vote.

May 5: Election Day. Polling stations are open from 7:00 to 22:00.

The night of May 5/6: Predicting the first results. Election outcome in the UK is expected to run from May 6-7, while Northern Ireland’s final results may not be announced until May 8.