Island voters reminded of new rules ahead of next week's election

Those who are intending to vote in next week's Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner election are reminded to bring their photo-ID with them – it has to be an original document, and not a copy.

They should also check where their polling station is located as some have changed since the last Island-wide election in 2021.

Details about where to vote can be found on the polling cards that were delivered to voters recently. However, if this has been mislaid, information about polling stations can be found on the 'Elections in Your Area' page of the Electoral Commission website by entering a postcode. There are also links to details of the candidates.

If people vote by post and have not sent in their ballot, they can be delivered to County Hall during office hours or handed in to any polling station next Thursday. However, voters are reminded of new rules about postal votes:

• Individuals will not be allowed to hand in more than five postal ballot packs (in addition to their own).

• All individuals handing in postal votes to local authority offices or polling stations will need to complete a postal vote return form.

• By law, any hand-delivered ballot that is not accompanied by a postal vote return form will be rejected.

If someone cannot get to the polling station, they can apply for an emergency proxy for certain medical, employment or loss of Voter ID reasons up until 5pm on polling day. More details on Isle of Wight Council’s proxy voter page.

Polls will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 2 May. Counting for the Police and Crime Commissioner election will take place on Friday 3 May, with each local authority responsible for the count in their unitary or district council area.

Results will be collated and announced in Southampton, where the overall returning officer for Hampshire and Isle of Wight area is located.