Voter turnout rose significantly in the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner elections this year.
239,935 people cast their ballots yesterday to decide who will hold their police chief constable to account.
The turnout of 28.07 per cent is a massive increase on the first PCC election in 2012, when just 15.36 per cent of the Surrey electorate cast their vote. Nationally, just 15.1 per cent of voters turned out that year– the lowest voter turnout in British peacetime history.
Local elections were held in Reigate & Banstead, Woking, Elmbridge, Tandridge, and Runnymede on the same day as the PCC elections (Thursday, May 5).
In these six districts and boroughs, turnouts were significantly higher than the county-wide average of 28.07 per cent.
The PCC oversees Surrey Police’s strategy and budget and holds the force’s chief constable to account.
The PCC delivers a police and crime plan and creates a link between the police and the public they serve.
The plan is shaped by the public and prioritises a zero-tolerance approach to policing, more visible street policing, putting victims at the centre of the criminal justice system and encouraging public feedback.
The role was created in 2012. As the commissioner serves four-year terms, PCCs face their first re-election this year.
The full list of candidates is:
• Jamie GOLDRICK – Independent
• Kevin Barry HURLEY - Zero Tolerance Policing ex Chief
• Camille Vannassche Weldon JULIFF - Independent
• Howard James KAYE – Labour Party
• Paul KENNEDY – Liberal Democrats
• David John MUNRO – Conservative Party Candidate
• Julia Florence SEARLE – UKIP
The polls have now closed after voting yesterday.
Complete turnout figures were as follows:
County-wide
Number of ballot papers verified - 239,935
Electorate - 854,648
Turnout - 28.07 per cent
Elmbridge
Number of ballot papers verified – 36,402
Electorate – 99,723
Turnout – 36.5 per cent
Epsom and Ewell
Number of ballot papers verified – 9,744
Electorate – 56,939
Turnout – 17.1 per cent
Guildford
Number of ballot papers verified – 21,892
Electorate – 102,851
Turnout – 21.29 per cent
Mole Valley
Number of ballot papers verified – 24,530
Electorate – 66,326
Turnout – 36.9 per cent
Reigate and Banstead
Number of ballot papers verified – 33,887
Electorate – 104,621
Turnout – 38 per cent
Runnymede
Number of ballot papers verified – 17,443
Electorate – 58,899
Turnout – 32.4 per cent
Spelthorne
Number of ballot papers verified – 15,216
Electorate – 73,643
Turnout – 20.7 per cent
Surrey Heath
Number of ballot papers verified – 11,664
Electorate – 65,139
Turnout – 17.9 per cent
Tandridge
Number of ballot papers verified – 21,989
Electorate – 62,633
Turnout – 35.1 per cent
Waverley
Number of ballot papers verified – 19,359
Electorate – 91,017
Turnout – 21.27 per cent
Woking
Number of ballot papers verified – 27,809
Electorate – 72,857
Turnout – 38 per cent
@craig_ep total apathy from E&E again. Same from the candidates though with nothing through our door from any of them. Could try harder
— Mr White (@TheDobba) 6 May 2016
@TheDobba @craig_ep Agreed. seven candidates and not one single leaflet delivered. No canvassers ever seen either.
— Peter Mugridge (@Peter_Mugridge) 6 May 2016
@TheDobba @epsomguardian @craig_ep I didn't vote because I wasn't informed on what or who I was meant to be voting on. Poor.
— Steve (@ElWiggo) 6 May 2016
@epsomguardian how poor is that! People should be voting
— Kate Battrick (@katebattrick) 6 May 2016
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