A tough call: Do YOU want to be an MP? (From Free Press Series)

A tough call: Do YOU want to be an MP?

It may seem as if the election campaign has been raging for months. Of course it has been...unofficially.

But the official campaign was only launched on April 5, with election day on May 5. In a series of articles leading up to the election, we look at the issues facing voters in Torfaen.

This week - how to stand and how to get a postal vote.

Poor voter turnout is an increasing concern nationally. In Torfaen, apathy could be heightened by the feeling that the big majority of Paul Murphy, the area's Labour MP since 1987, is untouchable.

But there is still every reason to vote - and you could even stand yourself.

The deadline for nominations is 4pm on Tuesday April 19. To stand at a general election you have to be 21 or over and a British citizen, or citizen of another Common- wealth country or of the Republic of Ireland.

You need to ensure that you are not disqualified in any way, for example if you've been declared bankrupt. Unlike in local government elections, candidates in elections to parliament pay a £500 deposit, which they can lose if they do not obtain a certain percentage of the votes counted.

If you'd like to know more about being an MP or are interested in standing as a candidate, further details are available on www.torf aen.gov.uk, www.theyworkforyou.com and www.parliament.uk. Or call Torfaen council on 01495 762200.

There are currently 659 seats in Parliament, with 40 in Wales. Torfaen has one, but parts of the borough (Croesyceiliog, Ponthir and Llanyravon), are represented by Monmouth's Huw Edwards.

POSTAL VOTING

RECENT SCANDALS surrounding postal voting have undermined confidence in the system. A judge in a recent vote-rigging trial criticised it as "hopelessly insecure". But local government minister Nick Raynsford said anti-fraud measures were being stepped up in the run-up to the general election.

Alison Ward, Torfaen council's chief executive, is the acting returning officer for the borough. She is confident in the postal voting system.

"Since the widespread introduction of postal voting on demand in 2001, we have put specific checks in place to detect anomalies during the issue and opening of postal votes," she said.

If you want to vote by post, get your application form in by April 26.