RESIDENTS have complained to Durham County Council after entire streets failed to receive polling cards.

Charles Clanfield said he and his neighbours in Holberry Terrace, Coundon, near Bishop Auckland, were still waiting to receive voting cards for next week’s General Election, despite them being posted to the majority of residents in the county over Easter.

A large number of households in the Escomb Road area of Bishop Auckland have also not received the cards, leading some to question whether they will still be able to vote.

Others fear the cards may have fallen into the wrong people’s hands and could lead to fraud.

Durham County Council has assured residents they can still vote without the card, but those affected believe they should be resent.

Derek Parker, of Escomb Road, said: “These cards are important to people as they tell you where to vote. Not having this information could deter some voters. I have contacted the council but no-one can give me an explanation.”

David Collingwood, electoral services manager at Durham County Council, said: “Poll cards were delivered across County Durham over the Easter weekend.

“We understand that some residents do not appear to have their cards and we are looking into this to establish whether there have been any delivery problems.

“It is helpful if voters can take their poll cards with them to the polling station however, it is not essential.

“They can go along to their usual polling station and simply give their name and address. Anyone who is not sure where their polling station is can contact the council on 03000 261 212 and we will let them know.”

In Richmondshire, North Yorkshire meanwhile, district council officials have apologised after a tight printing schedule meant the authority’s printer was unable to reprint the postal voting statement for uncontested parishes before the packs were issued.

The error has led to claims that voters may think a district election may be uncontested.

“A green slip advising electors when parishes are not contested is included, but this only relates to the parish elections not the district elections,” said Richmondshire District Council’s democratic services manager, Michael Dowson.

“We apologise for any confusion caused by this. Please complete and return all ballot papers you have received.”