Some people across Medway have not received their postal votes ahead of the general election on July 4.
Many of the 40,000-plus postal votes for residents of the Towns have not been delivered by Royal Mail but Medway Council says there is still time for those who require one to get hold of one.
The authority says it sent all voting packs on schedule, but some residents say they haven’t received them which may mean they cannot cast their ballot.
Medway has 41,525 postal voters for the upcoming general election across the three constituencies, with 4,154 postal vote applications having been processed since the announcement by Rishi Sunak was made on May 22.
Some people use postal votes as a convenient alternative to heading to the polling station, but many others have limited mobility and can only vote via this method.
Royal Mail has had issues across the country with the delivery of postal votes, with more than 90 constituencies raising concerns, and the government has launched an urgent investigation into the matter.
Medway Council leader Vince Maple (Lab) sent a letter to a senior public affairs manager at Royal Mail asking for an urgent update.
Speaking on KMTV he called the issue “frustrating” but said alternatives were available and he’d received some reassurances.
He said: “Royal Mail has confirmed everything has now been dispatched, but I am very concerned that in a number of cases this has taken much longer than normal.
“We know this is not just a Medway problem; the SNP leader is saying voters across Scotland have a similar issue with postal votes.
“I’ve had emails from a couple of residents who will not be able to vote in this election because they arranged for a postal vote that’s been dispatched in good time by the council, but it hasn’t been delivered by Royal Mail.
“It is frustrating that Royal Mail has left us in this position, but the postal votes have been dispatched in good time - one batch went a day early - and nevertheless some people still haven’t received them.”
Cllr Habib Tejan (Con) agreed, saying: “This will leave residents disenfranchised in many cases.
“With this solution in place now, this may have very little impact, but it is truly disappointing that residents have to suffer this.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We have a specialist elections team that plans every aspect of the elections delivery programmes and works closely with local authorities to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
“We have investigated concerns and can confirm all votes that enter our network are being delivered."
Anyone who hasn’t received their postal vote pack, or has lost or damaged theirs, should call Medway Council on 01634 332030 to arrange a replacement which can be collected from the authority’s office at Gun Wharf.
More information is available at Medway.gov.uk/GeneralElection2024
Replacement postal vote packs can be issued until 5pm on polling day.
