People have less than two weeks to register to vote so they can have their say in the European Parliamentary Election, which the UK is set to participate in on 23 May.

The registration process takes five minutes but needs to be completed before midnight on 7 May. People can register by visiting https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

As the election takes place just before a bank holiday weekend, people may have already made plans and cannot get to the polls. If that’s the case, the deadline for applying to vote via post is 5pm on 8 May and the deadline for appointing a proxy on their behalf is 5pm on 15 May. More details can be found at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/elections-register-to-vote.

EU Nationals registered to vote in Wiltshire who want to vote for their SW Region MEP, also need to complete and return a UC1 form by 7 May. If they have not yet received a form, one can be found at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/elections-european-parliamentary.

Wiltshire Council is busy arranging the logistics of putting the election on in Wiltshire at short notice including booking polling station venues, recruiting and training staff and arranging poll cards to be issued.

The polls will be open on 23 May from 7am until 10pm with the count taking place on 26 May.

Carlton Brand, Wiltshire Council Executive Director and Wiltshire’s Returning Officer, said: “Given the time we have to plan, this is a logistically challenging election to arrange to say the least, but our staff have a tremendous track record and are working really hard to ensure it’s successfully run.

“I would urge people to ensure they are on the register and make sure they have their say on 23 May. This is also the first major election that people born in the 21st century will be able to vote in, so I hope plenty of young people take up the opportunity and responsibility they now have.”

Wiltshire Council is also looking for people to fill presiding officer and poll clerk roles at the polling stations on 23 May. People will be paid for their time with the fee for presiding officer at £240 + £50 for attending a training session. For a poll clerk it’s £124 + £50 for attending a training session. Anyone interested in either role, should contact the election team at electionstaff@wiltshire.gov.uk stating their name and address, the position they are applying for and their area e.g. Salisbury, Trowbridge, Chippenham

More information about the European Parliamentary Election can be found at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/elections-european-parliamentary