An excerpt from the HCC press release on the 28th March

Hampshire residents are being urged to make sure they have their say in the Hampshire County Council elections, taking place on Thursday 2 May 2013.

A county-wide election takes place every four years and voters in all 75 electoral divisions choose who they want to run the range of essential local services that impact on all aspects of everyday life for 1.3million people living in the Hampshire County Council area, from education, roads and social care, to access to the countryside, museums and libraries.

Three of the larger divisions elect two councillors so Hampshire County Council consists of 78 councillors. These councillors represent all the people within their divisions and decide how £1.8billion of taxpayers’ money is spent, and make the policies to secure high quality services for the residents of, and visitors to Hampshire. Councillors provide a focus for local people when they have concerns or want things done, using their local knowledge of the area and the issues affecting residents to help the County Council make decisions and check the quality of services it delivers.

District councils run the County Council’s four-yearly elections on behalf of Andrew Smith, the County Returning Officer and Chief Executive.

Polling cards, and applications for postal and proxy votes will therefore be issued by district councils for residents living in their area.

The names of candidates standing for election in each division (the Statements of Persons Nominated) will be published on the County Council’s elections webpages no later than noon on Tuesday 9 April.

Andrew Smith, said: “The County Council elections happen once every four years and provide an opportunity for the democratic process to take place and for the public to have their say at the ballot box. I would therefore encourage everyone who is entitled to vote to turn out on 2 May and choose who they want to represent them on the Council.”

To be eligible to vote and have your say in the County Council elections, you must be on the electoral register, having registered with your local borough or district council by Wednesday 17 April. For anyone wishing to cast their vote by post, applications for postal votes must also be received by the district councils by 17 April, and proxy vote applications by 24 April.

Counting will take place at the district council offices and up to the minute results as each division is declared, will be available online on the Elections webpages. The earliest results are expected in the early hours of Friday 3 May after the polling stations close at 10pm on Thursday.

Full Council will meet for the first time after the elections on Thursday 23 May, at which time the new administration is formally established. The first meeting of the Cabinet will take place on Monday 24 June.

The current political make-up of the Council, following the last elections in June 2009 and four by-elections, is:

Conservatives 51
Liberal Democrats 24
Labour 1
Community Campaign (Hart) 1
Green Party 1

Information for residents about how to vote, how to register for a vote or check if you are already registered, is available from Winchester City Council on 01962 840222 or www.winchester.gov.uk or you can contact the Electoral Commission (telephone 020 7271 0500.)