Here's what to do in Falkirk if your postal vote for general election has not been delivered by Royal Mail

Falkirk Council is launching the service after the distribution of postal votes for next Thursday’s general election has been delayed nationally.

It has said that it expects postal packs to be delivered today (Friday) or tomorrow, June 29 by Royal Mail.

But with schools across the district breaking up today, many people may be heading off on holiday and the council has decided to put special measures in place.

A spokesperson said: “We understand that many people will be leaving for holiday over the weekend. If you are, and your postal pack has not reached you, there is an option to have a new one issued at the council offices and for you to collect this.

“Staff from the postal vote team will be available from 9am-noon on Saturday June 29 at The Foundry, Central Business Park, Larbert FK5 4RU to assist voters with this situation.”

Anyone attending must bring identification that includes their address.

Malcolm Burr, convener of the Electoral Management Board (EMB) for Scotland, has already said there has been “many difficulties” with the delivery of postal votes ahead of this general election – and with around a quarter of people choosing this method of voting it is having a huge impact.

He said: “There have been many difficulties experienced with the delivery of postal votes at this election.

“Postal voting is now a major element of every election with over 25 per cent of the electorate choosing to vote in this way. For this to be a viable option Returning Officers must rely on print suppliers and a predictable and reliable service from Royal Mail. There have been and remain issues with both suppliers and with Royal Mail across Scotland which the electoral community are dealing with as best we can.

"It should be noted that the legal and logistical timetable for this election is very tight, exacerbated in Scotland by the holiday period commencing in many areas at the end of this week.

“The EMB believes that there is a need for a major review of capacity and systems after the election. That view is shared across the electoral community.

"We are very much aware that some electors remain without a postal ballot at this point and we are working with Returning Officers, suppliers and Royal Mail to expedite delivery as quickly as possible.”