PLANS for a pilot scheme to get more people voting in local elections in Burnley may be delayed by up to three years.

Council bosses want to try out a scheme like postal voting or e-voting to try to improve the poor numbers of people who vote in local elections.

Figures have fallen below 30 per cent in the last few years.

But government rules and fears over security issues surrounding local votes in the town after the election of three BNP councillors in May last year, mean proposals are unlikely to get off the ground before 2006.

Originally, council bosses wanted to run a pilot scheme at this year's elections but decided, if that was not feasible, to try it at a by-election. However, government rules state that is unacceptable.

The local elections in May are also likely to be ruled out as these are almost certain to be combined with European elections and pilots cannot be run during combined elections.

Elections in 2005 is out, too, for the same reason, as the county and General elections are likely to be held at the same time.

The government is keen to get more people turning out on polling day.

It has set aside £30m for the next three years to allow local authorities to try out pilot schemes.

These could include voting through the internet, via digital TV or by text message from mobile phones, as well as extending the use of the postal vote.

Voter turnout in Burnley is poor with percentages for the last two local elections below 30 per cent, lower than the national average.

However, council bosses are keen to try a number of other ways to get people into the polling booths, including a prize draw to encourage the return of electoral registration forms. Recent discussions have also taken place with Pendle Borough Council.

Any initiatives could be undertaken jointly. Burnley Borough Council elections officer Alison Morville said: "Voter turnout is very low and we are keen to try as many ways as we can to encourage more people to vote.

"Although a pilot scheme may not be possible for some time, there are local initiatives that could be undertaken to improve voter registration and voter turnout at local elections."

The schemes will be discussed at a meeting of the Extrenal Relations and Communications and Overview Scrutiny Committee next Tuesday.