Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner election: All you need to know

Derbyshire goes to the polls today to elect a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the county.
Ballot boxes are carried into the hall at the Richard Dunn Centre, Bradford,  for counting in the 2015 General Election.  7 May 2015.  Picture Bruce RollinsonBallot boxes are carried into the hall at the Richard Dunn Centre, Bradford,  for counting in the 2015 General Election.  7 May 2015.  Picture Bruce Rollinson
Ballot boxes are carried into the hall at the Richard Dunn Centre, Bradford, for counting in the 2015 General Election. 7 May 2015. Picture Bruce Rollinson

Polling stations opened at 7am and will close at 10pm.

The current Derbyshire PCC, Alan Charles, will remain in office until midnight on May 11, with the new PCC taking over responsibilities on May 12.

The role of a Police and Crime Commissioner:

A PCC is elected to make sure that local police meet the needs of the community.

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A PCC is in charge of how your area is policed, the priorities of the force, the police budget and the amount of Council Tax charge for the police.

Voting:

To vote you must have been registered on the electoral role or have applied to register by Monday, 18 April 2016. You can’t turn up on the day and vote.

You must be registered to vote and also meet the following criteria:

- Be 18 years of age or over on polling day

- Be a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of the European Union

- Be resident in the UK

- Not be subject to any legal incapacity to vote

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PCCs are elected using the Supplementary Vote system. You make a first and second choice when you vote.

If no candidate gets more than 50 per cent of the first choice votes, all except the top two candidates are eliminated. If your first choice candidate is eliminated, and your second choice is for one of the top two, your second choice is counted.

The four Derbyshire candidates standing are:

Richard Bright - Conservative

Hardyal Singh Dhindsa - Labour

Tom Snowdon - Liberal Democrats

Stuart David Yeowart - UKIP