Postal ballots are re-issued after printing error

OVER 1200 postal ballots which have been sent out to homes in Lagan Valley for next month’s Assembly election are being replaced after the Electoral Commission identified an error on the papers.

According to local DUP representatives 1266 postal ballot papers were sent out this week with the logo for the Ulster Unionist Party placed beside DUP candidate Brenda Hale.

Apologising for the mistake and insisting that replacement ballot papers were being sent out, a spokesperson for the Electoral Commission said: “A printing error has been identified on the Assembly Election postal ballot papers delivered to electors in the Lagan Valley constituency. AV Referendum and Local Government ballot papers are unaffected.

“The office regrets any inconvenience to electors and candidates and has taken immediate steps to rectify the error.

“As the original Assembly election ballot paper is void all electors affected are being sent a replacement ballot paper along with a letter of explanation.

“Anyone with any concerns should phone the Electoral Office Helpline on 0800 4320 712.”

Fellow DUP Assembly candidate Jonathan Craig said the situation was ‘diabolical’.

He continued: “This represents a major error by those responsible for running a free and transparent election. This is a huge error.

“I urge anyone who is in receipt of a postal vote to contact the electoral office. These ballots are to be re-issued. This time they will hopefully contain the right information,” he added.