Cheriton Poll to be amongst Last to Close at 9pm

4.28.35pm GMT Thu 16th Mar 2006

The Cheriton by-election on 23 March will be amongst the last ever held under current local election polling hours (8am-9pm). Parliament has voted to extend local election polling hours to be the same as those for general elections - 7am to 10pm.

These changes come into force on 24 March and will affect any elections called after that date, including May's local elections.

Lib Dem candidate in the Cheriton by-election Tim Prater has welcomed the move:

"The extended opening hours which have always been available for Parliamentary elections are much more convenient for many people. Many of those who commute to London for instance currently are routinely out of the area between 8am and 9pm.

"The extended hours will hopefully increase turnout in local elections in future, which will mean more people having their say on how our area is run - which can only be a good thing."