I don't object to a postal ballot if the logistics make it poor value. But I do mind if the postal process is overcomplicated.
Is it gerrymandering or incompetence? Hard to say. The case for the prosecution is that move to postal voting was introduced after the council gained a solid Tory majority. And the form really was designed incredibly badly.
But for the defence, the main towns still have polling stations, and I'd guess the votes from a few villages won't swing a seat unless voting is extremely close - which it usually isn't out here.