A community centre in Derry has been dropped as a polling station after complaints over the erection of loyalist flags.
At last year’s Westminster General Election, the centre in Newbuildings was selected as the area’s polling station.
But some voters complained that they felt intimidated because flags had been flown in the grounds.
The polling station will now move to Newbuildings Primary School for voters on May 5, where it had previously been located.
Chief Electoral Officer Graham Shields took the decision after he investigated the complaints.
“The reason [for the move] was that loyalist flags were erected in the car park of the community centre,” said the former PSNI Supt.
“On polling day, I received a number of complaints from people who were unhappy and felt intimidated when they went to vote by the presence of the flags.
“What we tried to do last year in using the community centre was to minimise the disruption to the local community by having to close the school on polling day.
“However, we feel it is a safer and a more neutral venue to go back to the school.”
Mr Shields said it was an important principle that polling stations should be kept neutral.
“We do not want to see anyone feeling unable to exercise their franchise because they feel intimidated,” he said.
“We will do everything possible to ensure that people can vote in an atmosphere free from intimidation.”
He said his office carried out the necessary consultation about the move and received no objections.
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