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<p>The Returning Officer for Brighton and Hove City Council is responsible for the
conduct of elections to the local council, including the arrangements for the issue
and receipt of postal votes. The Government recognises the important role that effective
mail deliveries have in the overall running of electoral events, and we work with
Royal Mail nationally to ensure they have appropriate arrangements in place, though
it would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to take the place of the role
of the Returning Officer in relation to a specific, local incident.</p><p>This issue
was raised on a 'for information' basis in an email to DLUHC, the Electoral Commission
and the Association of Electoral Administrators at official level as part of ongoing
dialogue on delivery of elections. Royal Mail subsequently investigated the matter,
and we understand they responded directly to the Returning Officer in June 2023 with
their findings.</p>
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