SALISBURY residents are being urged to make sure their postal votes are sent in on time as Royal Mail strike action looms. 

This advice has been issued by the returning officer for Wiltshire ahead of the Wiltshire Council unitary election for the Salisbury St Paul’s Division and a Salisbury City Council by-election for the Salisbury St Paul’s Ward on Thursday, November 3.

Strike action is due to take place on October 20 and 25 with other potential strike action in November.

Terence Herbert, the returning officer for Wiltshire, said: “It’s vital that we have a strong, functioning democratic process and we want to ensure residents have their vote counted in the upcoming Salisbury local elections.

“Therefore, I strongly advise anyone who is planning to vote to get their postal votes back in plenty of time to avoid any issues. Polls will close at 10pm on the day of the elections so people can also hand deliver their postal votes at the designated polling stations on that day and they will be counted.

“We hope this doesn’t cause too much inconvenience for residents.”

Those who wish to vote in the elections by post are advised to send any postal votes back as soon as possible, or hand deliver them to the polling stations on polling day, November 3, between 7am and 10pm.

Postal packs have been sent out by Wiltshire Council. The polling stations are:

• Bemerton Methodist Church Hall, Roman Road, SP2 9BH

• Dennis Marsh House (The Scout Hut), Westminster Road, SP2 7DG

• Elim Church, Church Lounge, Elim Centre, Dews Road, SP2 7SN