Elections are always an interesting time, with many different challenges. This year, with a General Election combined with district and all parish councils, many districts will be facing a big task to keep council services operating to their normal standard while staffing the requirements of the election.

Planning for an election is therefore something that occupies many people’s thoughts long before the advent of ‘purdah’.

The arrangements for the days of polling and counting have been under the microscope of the Electoral Commission for some time and, while some of the standards imposed are not always welcomed by returning officers, there is a belief that the management of elections has improved since the last General Election.