Gruff Rhys joins Senedd postal ballot criticism in Cardiff
Getty ImagesCardiff Council says it is "urgently" investigating reports that some people who applied for postal voting have not received their ballot papers ahead of elections for the Welsh Parliament on Thursday.
The council said replacement voting packs would be hand-delivered to the remaining affected households on Tuesday, with a small number reissued by priority mail.
Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys described it as a "fiasco" and he said it was "disappointing" that he would probably not get his postal vote in time before going on tour.
"I know many others in the same situation. At worst in a tight election it could even tip the balance of power," said the Cardiff-based musician on Instagram.
The Electoral Commission told the BBC it didn't believe delays with postal votes were Wales-wide, and that affected voters in Cardiff should follow the council's advice.
It's not known how many postal ballots have not yet been delivered for the Welsh capital's two constituencies, but a small number of votes could prove to be important when the results of the Senedd election are counted on Friday.
A new voting system for Wales will see six candidates elected in each of the 16 constituencies, and there are potential scenarios where the gap between winning the fifth and sixth seat could be very close.
Cardiff resident Ian Cottrell said he was "disappointed and angry" that his postal vote had not arrived in time before he went abroad, leaving him unable to vote.
The 52-year-old said this election would mark the first time he was unable to vote in any election since 1992 because of not receiving his postal ballot in time.
Knowing he would be on holiday on the date of the Senedd election, Cottrell said he sorted out the paperwork in advance but became worried when his voting pack did not arrive.
He said he received no communication from the council about delays.
"My democratic right to vote has been taken away from me by a quite obviously ineffective process," he said.
"I am also disappointed and angry that Cardiff Council have not communicated any delays. I have found out everything via social media."
Chris Naylor, also from Cardiff, said he contacted the council twice last week after his voting pack didn't arrive, and was told that he could collect one from its headquarters the following afternoon on 1 May, as he was also going away on holiday the next day.
"Both times I contacted the council they seemed to think having them re-sent on the Friday would get them to us in plenty of time to return them, and did not seem to recognise that the reason for asking for a postal vote was because people would be away," he said.
Getty ImagesCardiff Council said it had has issued almost 47,000 postal vote packs and more than 26,500 had already been returned.
"We have been working urgently to investigate the issue and have identified that the affected packs relate to a supplementary print run for the Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf and Caerdydd Penarth constituencies," it said.
"We have received assurances from our print provider, Civica, that the relevant data was received correctly from the council and that the packs were printed and dispatched to Royal Mail, who continue to investigate."
The council added that "a number" of postal vote packs had been reissued and further replacements would be hand-delivered on Tuesday, with "a small number" sent out again by mail.
"Voters who receive a replacement pack can complete it and either return it to our staff at the time of delivery, hand it in at any polling station before 10pm on Thursday, or deliver it to County Hall before 10pm on polling day.
"We regret any inconvenience experienced and are focused on ensuring all those affected are able to vote."
LouLou PalmerRoyal Mail said the matter had been looked into and all items had been processed and delivered.
It added: "There are no outstanding postal ballot packs at delivery offices in CF postcode area."
The Electoral Commission said on Tuesday it had been confirmed there were "no widespread issues on postal voting in Wales".
"As at previous elections, we are aware of isolated issues in some areas that have been resolved locally. Anyone who hasn't received their postal vote should contact their local authority," a spokesperson said.
On Monday the commission confirmed it was aware of "issues with the delivery of some postal votes in Cardiff", adding that "the local elections team and Royal Mail are working to send the final packs out as soon as possible".
One person outside of Cardiff who is yet to receive a voting pack is LouLou Palmer, who is expecting Blaenau Gwent council to send out a postal vote by taxi today.
Palmer, from Cwmtillery, who is housebound for medical reasons, said she was not confident that her vote would reach the count in time and the whole experience had left her worrying about the integrity of the election.
She said: "I don't have faith in the election process, and it concerns me that so many don't seem to have their democratic right. They have changed the system and if every vote isn't counted then it isn't democracy."
Getty ImagesThe Liberal Democrats said they had spoken to a number of people affected in the Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf constituency, adding "the system has let them down".
Plaid Cymru said the situation was "extremely worrying" and urged "anyone who has not received their postal vote pack to contact their local council immediately".
Welsh Labour said the situation was "very concerning" adding that the council must ensure "[the postal ballots] are returned in good time to be counted".
The Welsh Conservatives said "the failure to ensure that all the postal votes were delivered is deeply concerning".
Reform dubbed the matter "completely unacceptable" adding that "people who have postal votes should not be disenfranchised".
The Greens have been approached for comment.
Additional reporting by James McCarthy
