Ballot papers for postal voters in Blakenhall ward of Wolverhampton will be arriving on doormats over the next few days, ready for the by-election on Thursday 2 May, 2013.

More than 750 postal votes have been issued to residents in the area ahead of the Blakenhall by-election, and voters are urged to return them as soon as possible.

Simon Warren, the Returning Officer for Wolverhampton City Council, has the following advice for postal voters: "When you receive your postal voting pack, make sure you read and follow the instructions carefully before completing your ballot paper.

"Don't forget to include your date of birth and signature on the postal voting statement. This statement is kept separately from your ballot paper so your vote is always secret. Follow the instructions in the pack to make sure your vote counts."

David Garner, the city council's Senior Elections and Electoral Registration Officer, added: "Postal ballot papers must be received by the Returning Officer by 10pm on 2 May, 2013, at the latest, so please make sure that it is received in good time."

Postal ballot papers can also be returned to a local polling station or at Wolverhampton City Council's Civic Centre on election day itself.

Standing for election in the Blakenhall Ward By-election are Harbans Singh Bagri (Labour Party), Eileen Lavina Birch (Liberal Democrats), Stephen Dion (Conservative Party) and David Mackintosh (UK Independence Party).

  • released: Monday 22 April, 2013