00:00Councils are facing an uphill struggle to prepare for May local elections after ministers
00:05reversed plans to delay some votes.
00:08The government had approved postponements in parts of England until 2027, but it abandoned
00:15that plan following a legal challenge brought by ReformUK.
00:19Ministers say their legal advice changed, though it has not been published.
00:23The Association of Electoral Administrators says months of essential planning time were
00:29lost.
00:30It warns teams must now catch up on booking venues, printing ballot papers and recruiting
00:35staff.
00:36Opposition parties have criticised the reversal, while ministers insist elections will go ahead,
00:42as scheduled on 7 May.
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