Election for a Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire

Next month, for the first time ever, 37 police and crime commissioners will be elected in England, along with four in Wales.

Notice of Election was published on 8 October 2012 inviting nominations for candidates in the South Yorkshire area.

Nomination papers can be obtained from The Police Area Returning Officer, 2nd Floor, Town Hall, Barnsley and must be completed and returned to the Police Area Returning Officer at the same address no later than noon on Friday 19 October 2012.

A deposit of £5000 is required from each candidate and can only be paid in either legal tender or by banker's draft. Enquiries about standing for election should be made to the Police Area Returning Officer at Barnsley Borough Council.

The 195,000 electors across Rotherham are reminded that to be eligible to vote they must be included in the register of electors. Over the last three months, households will have received an annual canvass voter registration form which must be returned to the Electoral Registration Officer at Rotherham Borough Council.

The last date to register to be able to vote in this election is Wednesday 31 October 2012.

New applications to vote by post or applications to amend or cancel an existing postal or proxy voting arrangement must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on 31 October 2012.

New applications to vote by proxy must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on 7 November 2012.

Any elector wanting further details about registering to vote or applying for a postal or proxy vote should contact Rotherham Electoral Services Office on 01709 823590.

The PCCs, as they will be known, will be tasked with scrutinising their force and holding it to account, and be accountable for how crime is tackled in their police force area. The commissioners will be paid and will empower local people into having a say on how crime is tackled in their area.

From 22 October 2012 the Electoral Commission will be distributing a booklet to every household which will give more information about PCCs, the elections and how to vote.