A CAMPAIGN has been launched across England to encourage voter registration ahead of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections this May.

On Thursday, May 5, voters in each police authority region in England will go to the polls to elect their local Police and Crime Commissioner for the next four years.

Just 15.7 per cent of Surrey’s 856,968 eligible electorate cast their vote in the first PCC election in November 2012, but it is hoped more will turn out this year.

Independent ‘zero tolerance’ candidate Kevin Hurley was elected in 2012, and he will stand again this May alongside confirmed candidates David Munro (Conservatives), Howard Kaye (Labour), Julia Searle (UKIP) and Paul Kennedy (Lib Dems).

The Electoral Commission launched its national voter registration campaign last week to remind people to register by the deadline of Monday, April 18.

In England advertising will appear across TV and online on demand video services. This is in addition to the work that is already being carried out across England by the commission and partner organisations, which started earlier this year.

Registering now for the elections in May will also mean voters are registered in good time before the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union on June 23.

Ben Brook, head of the Electoral Commission, English Regions, said: “Our public awareness campaign across England aims to encourage anyone not yet registered, to do so as soon as possible.

“Our research shows that young people, students and recent home movers are less likely to be registered to vote. If you’re not registered you won’t be able to have your say on issues that directly affect your day-to-day life.

“Registering is quick and easy to do online at gov.uk/register-to-vote but you only have until Monday, April 18, if you want to vote in the important elections in England this May.”

For those already registered to vote, the deadline for all new applications to vote by post, as well as changes to existing arrangements (including cancellations) is 5pm on April 19. A postal application form can be downloaded online at www.waverley.gov.uk .

Likewise, the deadline for proxy applications (appointing someone to vote on your behalf) is 5pm on April 26, 2016.