A PUBLIC information campaign aimed at voters in the Tavistock area has been launched this week ? after West Devon Borough Council admitted sending out incorrect voting cards to around 2,000 households. The incorrect cards stated that polling for the county and general election would take place in Tavistock Pannier Market on Thursday May 5. But the market is not being used by the borough council this year. It follows a long-running battle with the town council which eventually won its fight to keep the market open for traders on election day. Instead, the borough is using the Methodist Church and the Parish Church Centre. Eddie Carruthers, Tavistock Pannier Market reeve, received one of the inaccurate polling cards himself. He said: ?Polling is certainly not going to be here (In the market). It?s very misleading because people will get these cards and think it?s going to be here, but it?s not, it?s a normal Thursday market.? David Incoll, borough chief executive, admitted the council had blundered: ?It was our mistake for not checking the printing.? He said new, correct polling cards had now been sent out and the council had taken out an advert in this week?s Times in an attempt to clear any confusion. Publicity boards would also be placed around the pannier market on election day, directing voters to the correct polling station. Alison Stoneham, borough council media officer, said voters should destroy the incorrect polling cards ? but only once they had received the new, correct ones. Electors could also visit the council website at http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk if they were concerned. ?We hope people will take our advice on board and we apologise for the confusion caused,? she said. The council had written to Tavistock residents informing them about the new voting arrangements in February this year, she added. But Mrs Stoneham could not comment on the cost implications of the polling card mistake. Voters in Tavistock?s North ward should use the polling station at Tavistock Methodist Church in Chapel Street. Electors in the South ward should use the Parish Church Centre in Plymouth Road, while voters in the South West ward should continue to cast their vote at Whitchurch Primary School. Polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm.
