For a second year running, coronavirus looks likely to cause the postponement of scheduled local elections.

Last year elections across the country were cancelled and elected councillors whose time was due to run out were asked to stay on for another year.

In the case of Maldon District Council, while the next full council election is not due until May 2023 there are currently two of the 31 council seats vacant following the resignations of two Conservative councillors in the past year. This has been critical at the authority, with the Independent group forming an administration in November 2020 as the knife-edge balance of power tipped in their direction.

The Coronavirus Act has meant that by-elections for these crucial seats cannot be held until May this year - and if it is now decided to extend local election restrictions, this situation will persist for longer.

There is a similar position in terms of vacant seats at some parish councils, too - for example, at Heybridge Parish Council and Heybridge Basin Parish Council.

Now, with a third national lockdown in force and the clock ticking down towards 6 May when the four-yearly elections are due to take place again for Essex County Council, it is being suggested there is another delay to ensure the poll can take place safely.

Maldon district residents are also due to be asked to cast their votes for the position of the Essex Police and Fire Commissioner.

Last week the government began contacting local councils to seek views on what should be done. In hundreds of elections scheduled across the country more than 40 million people will be entitled to vote.

What appears to be the most likely scenario is that the elections will be put back to the autumn, with October appearing to be a preferred scenario in the regions – though word is that Downing Street would prefer to see the elections put back just one month.

It's not just the issues of voting on one day and the subsequent count that causes concern, elections are likely to bring about significant door-to-door canvassing which health experts fear could create another spike in Covid-19 transmission.

The search for answers from across the country is being driven from Whitehall where a spokesperson said: "Local government leaders have had a suggestion from government that the elections are moved to June or July, but many think that's too soon to ensure polling booths are safe so have mooted the idea of September. Holding the elections with postal votes only has been ruled out."

Chairman of Maldon District Council, Councillor Mark Heard, this week wrote an article on local democracy and how it works. You can read that via the link here.