Local Government Elections

Local Government By-election

The Highland Council is divided into 21 Wards and elections are administered, centrally, through the Election Office.

A by-election can occur due to a vacancy, for example death or resignation of an elected representative. It can take place during any of the ordinary local government electoral cycles, and is subject to the same statutory timetable.

Election of Councillor for Ward 19: Inverness South

A Local Government By-Election will be held on Thursday 11 April 2024 to fill a vacancy that has arisen in Ward 19 following the resignation of Councillor Colin Aitken (Scottish Liberal Democrats), one of 4 Councillors representing the Inverness South Ward.

Following the deadline for nominations at 4pm on Thursday 7 March 2024, the candidates are:

  • Jonathan Chartier - Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • Jimmy Duncan - Alba Party
  • Ryan Forbes - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
  • Andew MacDonald - Sovereignty
  • Duncan Cameron McDonald – Independent
  • Gordon Shanks - Scottish National Party (SNP)
  • Arun Sharma - Scottish Green Party
  • Ron Stevenson - Scottish Labour Party

Notice of Poll, key information and statutory notices

How to vote

To vote in this by-election, eligible residents must have been registered to vote by midnight on Monday 25 March 2024.

Voting at the designated polling stations will take place between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 11 April 2024. Poll cards have been posted out and these should be checked carefully as details of where voters should go to cast their vote in person will be provided.

Find out where to vote

Further information on what voters need to know before Polling Day.

Postal or proxy vote

Anyone who is registered to vote can arrange to have a Postal or Proxy vote.

To ensure you don't miss out on your preferred way of making your vote count, please check out the list of deadlines below.

  • Deadline for new postal vote applications and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes - Tuesday 26 March 2024 (5pm)
  • Deadline for new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies) - Wednesday 3 April 2024 (5pm)
  • Deadline for emergency proxy applications - Thursday 11 April 2024 (5pm)
  • Last time to alter the Register due to clerical error or court appeal - Thursday 11 April 2024 (9pm)
  • Last time for re-issue of spoilt or lost postal votes - Thursday 11 April 2024 (10pm)

For more information about how to register and the different ways of voting in elections please go to our How to Vote page or email ero@highland.gov.uk or telephone 0800 393 783 for more advice on postal or proxy voting.

Completing your postal vote pack

Postal Packs were posted on Wednesday 27 March 2024.

You can find further information to assist you with completing your postal vote in our Frequently Asked Questions and in the video below

How to complete your Ballot Paper

The by-election is conducted under the Single Transferable Vote (STV) electoral system. This means you should rank the candidates in order of your preference on the ballot paper.

Electors are advised to vote using numbers as follows:

Number the candidates in the order of your choice.

  • Put the number 1 in the box next to the name of the candidate who is your first choice;
  • 2 in the box next to your second choice;
  • 3 in the box next to your third choice; and so on.

You can make as many or as few choices as you wish.

You have the option to listen to the audio version of the ballot paper by dialling 01349 886657 and pressing option 3.

The Result

The electronic counting of the votes will take place at 10am on Friday 12 April 2024 in the Highland Council Offices, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX and only those permitted by law will be allowed to attend.

We will have coverage from the Count Centre with our live stream on our YouTube, Facebook and Twitter accounts.

You can set reminders by subscribing to our YouTube channel and watch the live broadcast below:

The declaration of result will be published here thereafter.

Notices

Pre-election Guidance and Poster Policy