Plans to boost electoral turnouts through a postal-ballot only pilot scheme have been scuppered.

Had the scheme gone ahead it would have made voters in the Homesteads ward in Stanford one of only a few countrywide allowed to vote in such a way.

Votes in Chafford Hundred and West Thurrock would also have been eligible.

It was hoped an agreement could be reached in time for the local elections in May.

However, now it is back to the drawing board for Thurrock Council after its two MPs - Andrew Mackinlay and Angela Smith - objected.

The proposal was prompted by the poor turnouts for local elections.

Councillor Peter Maynard said: "I understand the two MPs contacted the Home Office, which was dealing with this, and said they were unhappy that they had not been informed that this was going on. They wanted more time for consultation.

"Unfortunately there was no more time and the Home Office decided they would not give Thurrock permission."

He said he was "disappointed" by the decision, but added: "We've got to live with this."

Angela Smith -- MP for Basildon and East Thurrock -- said the first she knew of the proposal was a question in The House of Commons. She said she was not necessarily against the idea, but believed there should have been more consultation.

She added: "It's a big move - people in The Homesteads and other wards would have no choice, if they wanted to vote they would have to do it by post.They had not been asked if that is what they want and should have been given a chance to discuss this."

A spokesman for Andrew Mackinlay added the Thurrock MP had similar concerns.

In addition the MP had feared that if a General Election was called for the same date, people might have to vote in two different ways, causing confusion.

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