ELECTION nominations have officially closed and the names of all candidates standing for election to Thurrock Council on Thursday, 2 May have been released.    

Labour and Conservatives will contest all the seats, with a strong showing of independent candidates contesting wards in the east of the borough and in Chafford and North Stifford.

Green Party candidates stand in Little Thurrock Rectory, South Chafford, West Thurrock & South Stifford and Grays Riverside.

Details of candidates running can be found here.

In this year's elections, only a third of councillors in the borough stand, which means these two-councillor wards will not be contested this time: Little Thurrock Rectory, Stifford Clays, Tilbury Riverside and Thurrock Park. 

However, all wards are eligible to vote in the elections for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, which are taking place on the same day.  

For the wards that are being contested, one candidate will be elected per ward.  

Polling cards have been delivered to eligible electors giving their voting details, polling station, voter ID requirements and how to apply for a postal or proxy vote. Some polling stations have changed this year so registered voters are encouraged to check their card carefully. Polling hours on Thursday, 2 May are from 7am until 10pm.  

Anyone who has not yet registered to vote has until midnight on Tuesday, 16 April to apply. Applications can be made online.   

Those voting in-person are required to show photo ID at the polling station, such as a passport. Expired ID documents will be accepted if the photo is still a good likeness.  Voters without a valid form of voter ID can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate. Applications must be submitted by 5pm, Wednesday, 24 April.   

People who require absent voter arrangements can apply to vote by post or by proxy. Postal vote applications can be submitted online. The deadline for receipt of completed applications to vote by post is 5pm on Wednesday, 17 April. Completed proxy vote applications must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 24 April.  Some proxy applications can be made online on the government website. Paper applications for a postal or proxy vote can be made by contacting: [email protected]  

The successful candidates will serve just one year.

Elections from 2025 will be 'all out' and take place once every four years, this means all 49 councillor posts will be up for election at the same time.