RESIDENTS across the borough are urged not miss out on having the chance to vote in next month’s local and European elections.

The polls open on Thursday May 22 for both elections and people have until Tuesday May 6 to register to vote.

John Polychronakis, chief executive of Dudley Council and election returning officer, said: “The elections are fast approaching and people need to make sure they are registered if they want to take part.”

Anyone unable to get to their local polling station on election day can apply for a postal or proxy vote where they arrange for someone else to vote on their behalf.

New postal vote applications, amendments to or cancellations to existing postal votes must be with the Electoral Services Old Crown Court, Priory Street, Dudley, DY1 1EY, by 5pm on Wednesday May 7.

Proxy vote applications must be registered by Wednesday May 14.

To register to vote in the English local government elections a person must be on the electoral register, aged 18 or over on polling day, a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Irish Republic, or a citizen of another EU member state.

Borough residents can get a registration form or an application for a postal or proxy vote by contacting the local electoral registration office on 01384 814741 or online from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk