Dozens of district and county council ballots across England could be pushed back as officials seek to deliver structural changes as part of a shake-up to local government.
At least 27 local authorities have asked to delay elections across the country, including 11 in which are in Sussex.
The full list of Sussex local authorities asking to postpone their district elections are as follows:
- Adur
- Arun
- Chichester
- Crawley
- Eastbourne
- Horsham
- Lewes
- Mid Sussex
- Rother
- Wealden
- Worthing
Additionally, Hastings has asked for postponements for both district elections and county elections in East Sussex, according to the data.
Opposition critics have said Labour is “running scared” of voters after ministers said they would authorise delays if councils had concerns about their capacity to introduce reforms in time.
According to data compiled by the Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA), some 27 – or more than a third – of the 63 eligible local authorities have sought a postponement to either district or county council votes this year.
Others are yet to make a decision on whether to ask for a delay ahead of the deadline at midnight on Thursday.
The government’s overhaul of local authorities will replace remaining two-tier systems of district and county councils with new “unitary” bodies responsible for delivering all council services in their area.
Last week, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government dismissed reports suggesting 22 councils would have their elections delayed as “pure speculation.”
The ministry has been contacted for comment.
AEA chief executive Peter Stanyon said: “Once the submission deadline passes, we know our members would appreciate a final government decision on whether elections are postponed or not as soon as possible.
“The starting gun for May 7 elections is fired when notices of election are published at the end of March, so time is ticking.
“There are still legislative hoops to jump through before returning officers and electoral administrators can confidently down tools, so the sooner the postponement order is laid, the better.”
Shadow local government secretary Sir James Cleverly said: “Labour are running scared of voters because they know they are set for a ballot-box battering due to their disastrous performance in office.
“This government is denying democracy and depriving local communities of the right to choose who represents them. As a result, some councillors will now end up serving seven-year terms.
“We are clear that these elections should go ahead. Ministers should treat voters with respect instead of disdain, stop undermining our democratic system and let the people of this country make their own decisions.”
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