Still time to apply to vote in Lochaber by-election

Issued on behalf of The Returning Officer

Polling will take place on Thursday 5 April to elect one of the six candidates standing in the Caol and Mallaig Ward by-election and voters are being reminded to make sure they are ready to make their vote count.

The by-election is being held following the sad death of Councillor Billy MacLachlan who was one of three Councillors representing Ward 11. The other Ward members are Councillors Allan Henderson (Independent) and Ben Thompson (Independent)

To vote in this by-election, eligible residents must be registered to vote by midnight on Friday 16 March 2018. Full details on how to register are available by visiting www.gov.uk/register-to-vote 

Anyone who is registered to vote can also arrange to have a Postal or Proxy vote. The latest time to apply for a postal vote is 5.00pm on Monday 19 March and the deadline for anyone wishing to apply to vote by proxy is Monday 26 March.  Advice on postal and proxy voting is available by contacting the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783 or e-mailing ero@highland.gov.uk 

Those intending to vote are reminded that the single transferable vote system will be used. Instead of using a cross, voters should number the candidates in the order of their choice, putting a number 1 in the box next to the name of the candidate who is their first choice, 2 in the box next to their second choice and so on. Voters can mark as many choices as they wish. Voters are asked to put no other mark on the ballot paper as this could result in their vote not being counted.

The candidates standing are:

• Ronald Joseph Campbell - Independent
• Alex MacInnes - Scottish National Party (SNP)
• Catherine Margaret Mackinnon - Independent
• Denis Rixson - Scottish Liberal Democrats
• Ian Smith - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
• Colin ‘Woody’ Wood - Independent

The current political make-up of The Highland Council is;

• Independent (Ind) – 28
• Scottish Conservative and Unionist (Con) – 10
• Scottish Green Party (Green) – 1
• Scottish Labour Party (Lab) – 3
• Scottish Liberal Democrats (Lib Dem) – 9
• Scottish National Party (SNP) – 19
• Sutherland Independent Group (SIG) – 1
• Non-aligned (NA) - 2

With 1 vacancy for the Caol and Mallaig Ward