Notice of Election published for two Highland Council by-elections

Issued on behalf of the Returning Officer

Following resignations, three vacancies have arisen for Councillors to represent the Cromarty Firth Ward 6 and the Inverness Central Ward 14 of The Highland Council.

The Cromarty Firth Ward is a 4 member Ward. Following the resignation of Councillors Pauline Munro (Highland Independent) and Molly Nolan (Scottish Liberal Democrats) there are two vacancies for Ward 6. The other Ward members are Councillors Tamala Collier (Scottish National Party) and Maxine Smith (Highland Alliance).

Ward 14, Inverness Central is a 3-member ward. Following the resignation of Bet McAllister (Scottish Labour Party) there is one vacancy to be filled. The other Ward members are Michael Cameron (Scottish National Party) and Kate MacLean (Scottish National Party).

Candidate nomination forms for both Wards can be downloaded from www.highland.gov.uk/byelection or by contacting the Election Office via email  election@highland.gov.uk or phoning 01349 886657.

Completed nomination papers must be returned by hand to the Returning Officer, Meeting Room 1, Highland Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness IV3 5NX, between the hours of 10am and 4pm from Tuesday 20 August until Monday 26 August 2024.

Before the original documents are officially lodged by hand to the Returning Officer, candidates can scan and email their forms to  election@highland.gov.uk  for an informal check.

Prior to lodging papers candidates and agents should email  election@highland.gov.uk  or contact 07496 176004 or 07775 411321 to arrange an appointment.

If the seats are contested, the polls will take place on Thursday 26 September 2024 with an electronic count on Friday 27 September 2024.

Anyone over 16 years old who is living in Ward 6 or 14 is eligible to vote in these By-Elections if they are registered. To register to vote visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Alternatively, call the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783 to request a paper application form.  The last date to register to vote in this By-Election is midnight on Tuesday 10 September 2024.

Voters in both Wards will be able to cast their vote in person on the day by visiting their local polling station or they can apply for either a postal vote or to vote by proxy.

The latest time to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday 11 September 2024 and the deadline for anyone wishing to appoint a proxy, which is someone to vote on their behalf, is 5pm on Wednesday 18 September 2024.

Advice on postal and proxy voting is available by contacting the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783.