Essex people go to the polls next week when voting takes place in elections for borough, district, and parish councils.

The three main political parties are contesting in most areas, with the Green Party challenging in some seats, also the Maldon and District Independent Democratic Alliance in that area, and a number of independents.

Ward boundary changes since the last election four years' ago mean a number of residents will find themselves voting in wards with unfamiliar names and in different polling stations from those they have been used to.

A total of 168 candidates will be fighting for Chelmsford Borough Council's 57 seats in 24 wards.

The council is at present run by the Liberal Democrats with independent support.

Braintree District Council's 60 seats are being contested by 161 candidates. The council is currently Labour run.

The 44 seats at Uttlesford District Council (at present run by a Conservative/independent coalition) are being sought by a total of 103 candidates, and the 31 at Maldon District Council (now Conservative controlled) by 65 contenders.

A number of parish council elections will be held on the same day, but, in many cases, no election will be necessary in a parish because the number of candidates nominated, equals, or even falls short of, the number of seats available.

Voting takes place on May 1 and many results are expected to become known in the early hours of May 2.

Published Friday, April 25, 2003

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