The candidates for the upcoming Police and Crime Commissioner election for Rutland and Leicestershire on May 6 have been finalised.

The elections, which were postponed from last year due to the pandemic, will go ahead this year with a range of Covid safety measures in place, such as voters bringing their own pencil.

North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC), the authority responsible for the administration of the election, has confirmed the following candidates will be on the ballot paper after nominations closed today (Thursday 8 April):

Rupert Oliver Matthews – The Conservative Party

Ross Willmott – Labour and Co-operative Party.

Mr Matthews, 59, is a former member of the European Parliament and an author on the paranormal.

His campaign website can be found here.

Mr Moore teaches history and politics at the University of Leicester and details of him can be found here.

Ross Willmott is the leader of Leicester City Council and a former county councillor. His campaign website is here.

The three are battling it out to replace the incumbent Labour's Lord Willy Bach, 74, who is retiring after serving one term in the post.

The PCC election is taking place alongside the Leicestershire County Council election and a small number of other local and parish elections. Rutland County Council is staging no elections as they were last held in 2019.

The role of the Police and Crime Commissioner is to hold the police to account on behalf of the public, becoming a link between the police and communities, working to ensure policing and crime reduction efforts match the ambitions of the public.

Arrangements are being put in place to ensure polling stations are safe places to cast ballots and people can expect many of the measures they've become used to over recent months such as hand sanitiser, floor markings and face coverings.

Voters are also being encouraged to bring along their own pen or pencil to mark their ballot paper with.

Those not on the electoral roll still have time to register to vote on the Government website www.gov.uk/register-to-vote - the deadline is midnight on Monday 19 April.

Voters that want to avoid polling station also still have time to register for a postal vote via www.electoralcommission.org.uk/postalvote - the deadline for this is 5pm on Tuesday 20 April.

Bev Smith, Chief Executive of North West Leicestershire District Council and the Police Area Returning Officer for the PCC election, said: "With nominations now confirmed, voters will be starting to think ahead to how they will cast their votes on 6 May.

"It is really important people can vote with confidence, and as a result we are taking every precaution to ensure polling stations are safe environments.

"Voters can help on the day by bringing their own pen or pencil to mark their ballot paper. Face masks will be needed and social distancing must be observed at all times.

"Anyone that would prefer to vote by post still has time to apply for their postal vote – but please don't miss the 20 April deadline."