Ballot papers re-issed because of printing error

BOROUGH council ballot papers are being re-issued to postal voters in Frodsham due to a printing error on the original documents.
Returning Officer Steve Robinson is writing to about 1,300 postal voters in Frodsham and also in Chester’s Garden Quarter where a similar problem existed, to advise them of the mistake.
In both cases the political party emblem is missing alongside the name of one candidate.
The error affects postal voters only in the borough council elections. Postal ballot papers in the parliamentary and town and parish elections are unaffected.
Mr Robinson has also contacted all candidates and election agents to make them aware of the issue.
The London-based company which printed the ballot papers on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council is investigating the matter.
Mr Robinson said: “The draft ballot papers that the council approved for printing correctly showed the party emblem so it is unclear at this stage how the error occurred.
“As soon as it came to light we took immediate steps to inform voters, candidates and agents.
“The printing company will be expected to cover all the costs involved in re-printing and re-issuing the ballot papers.”
Almost 1,000 voters in Frodsham are affected.
Postal votes for the borough council elections returned on the original ballot papers will be void. Postal electors have been advised that they will need to vote again using the re-issued papers.
Parliamentary postal votes are unaffected and parliamentary ballot papers will not be re-issued.