That is bad. I think that local government is so stretched that incompetence is almost inevitable. It is wrong that people are denied their democratic right to vote.
Probably similar, people are very disinterested in the EU generally and turnout has always shown that lack of affection/regard for the EU parliament. I think it is a great pity. I'll try to find the stat.
edit: can only find Southeast turnout at 35.4% in the 2014 election. My ward seems to be...