Postal delays in east Oxford prevent residents voting

Anyone who has applied for a postal vote needs to make sure this is received by their local electoral office no later than 10pm on election day (July 4).

Royal Mail says postal voting packs are usually posted out first class approximately two weeks before the election, meaning they will be received at least a week before election day, “allowing enough time to fill out the ballot paper and return it”.

Oxford Royal Mail sorting office.

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But Shaista Aziz, former city councillor and east Oxford householder said: “A number of people have contacted me saying they’re unable to vote as their postal votes have not arrived – and they won’t be in Oxford on election day.

“For many this is the first time that they’ve not been able to vote and they’re outraged by not being able to exercise their democratic right to vote.

Shaista Aziz. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

“We residents of East Oxford know how woeful the postal service is in the city – it’s got progressively worse over the years.

“Postal workers tell you how frustrated they are at the downhill slide of Royal Mail.”

Oxfordshire county councillor for the Iffley Fields & St Mary’s division, Damian Haywood, added: “Voters are being disenfranchised. This adds to the litany of problems we have faced with our service in east Oxford, but this now is a real issue for our democracy.”

Damian Haywood. (Image: Ed Nix.)

A Royal Mail spokesman said the company has investigated concerns with the delivery of postal votes in east Oxford and found “one isolated incidence of delays to postal votes due to ongoing issues with recruitment, but no widespread issues”.

He added: “This delay is being rectified and postal votes are continuing to be delivered as ordered.

“We have a specialist elections team that plans every aspect of the elections delivery programmes and works closely with local authorities to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible.”

Postal voting at General Elections has surged in popularity over the last two decades.

But one householder in east Oxford, Elise Benjamin, said her family would be delivering their completed postal votes to the town hall “in-person” because they know they “can’t rely on the post”.

Cowley city councillor Amar Latif said: “I think it is imperative that Oxford City Council launch a full investigation to ensure the reasons for any delays are understood and prevented from happening in the future.”

Amar Latif. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

Not everyone has hit out at Royal Mail for the delays however with Oxford East Independent MP candidate and east Oxford householder Amir Steve Ali saying he thinks traffic restrictions such as LTNs (low traffic neighbourhoods) are to be blame.

Mr Ali said: “Can we really blame Royal Mail or should we blame the traffic?”

Amir Steve Ali. (Image: Ed Nix.)

An Oxford City Council spokesman said: “The city council has been made aware that a number of residents have yet to receive their postal voting packs through the post.

“We have contacted Royal Mail to request confirmation of where they are still to be delivered and that all will be delivered by Friday, June 28 at the latest.

We have been made aware that a number of residents have yet to receive their postal voting packs through the post. We have contacted Royal Mail to request confirmation of where they are still to be delivered and that all will be delivered by Friday 28 June at the latest.
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— Oxford City Council (@OxfordCity) June 27, 2024

“Anyone who has not yet received their postal vote pack by Friday June 28 or who has concerns about returning them in time should contact the Elections Team at the city council so that alternative arrangements can be made.

“Email the Elections Office or phone 01865 252518. Please note, postal votes can also be handed in at the Town Hall, or at polling stations on the day.”

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About the author

Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county. 

She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.

Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi