VOTERS in Fenland will be going to the polls next Thursday to help elect a new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Cambridgeshire.

This election will be using the supplementary voting system, which means people can vote for a first and second choice of who they want to win. This is how it works.

The ballot paper will list all the candidates. Next to the list will be two columns.

Voters will be asked to:

• Vote for their first-choice candidate by marking a cross (X) in the first-choice column, and

• Vote for their second-choice candidate by marking a cross (X) in the second-choice column.

The first preferences are counted. If a candidate has received more than 50 per cent of the votes cast, they are elected. If no candidate has more than 50 per cent, all candidates apart from those in first and second places are eliminated.

The ballot papers showing a first preference for the eliminated candidates are then checked for their second preference. Any second preference votes for the two remaining candidates are then added to the candidates’ first preference votes and the one with the most votes wins.

The election for the Cambridgeshire PCC also involves voters in East Cambridgeshire, South Cambridgeshire, Cambridge City, Peterborough and Huntingdonshire.

The result will be announced on November 16.

All voters are being reminded to check their poll cards to see where their polling station is – a few have changed from previous elections.

They should also note that staff at polling stations are not allowed to explain the system on the day.

• For information about all the candidates, visit www.choosemypcc.org.uk or call 0800 1 07 07 08.

• For full details about the election, visit www.fenland.gov.uk/article/6036/2012-Police-and-Crime-Commissioner-Elections