Local elections in Cornwall are to go ahead in May as planned – but with one big change this year.

Voters will be told they will have to bring their own pencil to mark their mark their ballot paper under new coronavirus safety rules.

Unsurprisingly, voters will also have to wear face coverings inside polling station.

The announcement by the Cabinet Office allays concerns that the pandemic would lead to the elections being postponed again.

The elections will take place on Thursday May 6, to re-elect all Cornwall councillors, as well as members of numerous town and parish councils, and the Devon and Cornwall Police Crime Commissioner (delayed from last year).

There will be less Cornwall Council members to vote for this time around, with the number of councillors to reduce to 87 from 123.

Cornwall Council said earlier this week that it was putting arrangements in place to ensure polling stations are safe places to vote.

Voters can expect many of the measures they’ve become used to over recent months, such as the use of hand sanitiser, floor markings and face coverings.

Residents can also vote by post or by nominating another individual to vote for them. Rules are being changed so that people who have to self-isolate can request an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm on polling day.

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Cornwall Council’s chief executive and acting returning officer Kate Kennally said: “For many months our teams have been preparing to deliver Covid-safe elections on May 6.

“We are closely following the advice from the government and are working with our Public Health colleagues to ensure that the people of Cornwall can exercise their right to vote safely and allow their voices to be heard.”

Cornwall Council is currently recruiting poll clerks and counting staff. All staff will be provided with the appropriate personal protective equipment and additional Covid-safe training will also be given.

Poll clerks are paid £175 for the day along with £15 for online training. Count staff are paid £10 per hour for a daytime count and £15 per hour overnight.

To vote in these elections, anyone who is not registered or has recently moved must have registered by midnight on Monday, April 19. People must re-register if they’ve changed address, name or nationality.

If you are already registered, you do not need to apply again unless your circumstances have recently changed.

The Cabinet Office said all nine vaccination priority groups – covering those aged 50 and over – are expected to have received coronavirus vaccines by May, meaning the Government can commit “with confidence” to the polls going ahead.

An Electoral Commission spokesman said: “It is an important democratic principle that elections should proceed as scheduled whenever possible.

“We are supporting administrators in their complex and important work to prepare for and deliver the polls, and we will continue to update our guidance for parties, campaigners and electoral administrators as needed in order to reflect the latest public health advice and any legislative changes.”