Crofting Commission Election attracts good response with 29 candidates
There will be a contest in five of the six constituencies within the Crofting Commission electoral area.
A total of 28 candidates will contest the five constituencies of:
The contested elections will be under the Alternative Vote system and conducted by Postal Ballot and the returned ballot papers will be counted in Inverness, Town House on Friday 16 March 2012.
Ballot papers will be posted to all eligible electors (aged 16 years and over) in each of the five constituencies where there is a contest and must be returned by 4pm on Thursday 15 March 2012, if they are to be included in the counting of votes.
Votes will be counted using e-counting technology. At the first round of the count, a candidate will be successful if he achieves a majority, over all the other candidates combined i.e. 50% + 1, of the valid votes cast in the election. If no one passes the 50% mark at the first round, the candidate with the lowest number of votes is eliminated and their votes are transferred to the candidates ranked second on their ballot papers. If a ballot paper for an eliminated candidate has no further preferences it cannot be transferred and is removed from the count. This process continues until a candidate gains a majority over all the other remaining candidates combined i.e. passes the 50% mark of the valid votes remaining in the count at the end of that round. Where there are only two candidates left, the candidate with the highest number of votes, after the re-allocation of all eliminated candidates valid votes, wins the contest.
The candidates are:
Shetland - candidates:
1. Peter Dodge, Aith, Cunningsburgh
2. Kathleen Ann Sinclair, Firva, Scousburgh, Shetland
3. David Irvine Smith, The Beadies, Levenwick, Shetland
4. Marjorie Williamson, Blimister, Burra Isle
East Highlands (East Sutherland, Easter Ross, East Inverness and Moray) - candidates:
1. Marina Theresa Dennis, Inchdrein, Nethy Bridge
2. Peter Humpheys, Davidston Croft, Heights of Fodderty, Strathpeffer
3. Donnie Ross, Strone Croft, Leault, Kincraig, Kingussie
4. William Waugh, 3 Bogbain, Tain
Western Isles - candidates:
1. Malcolm MacLeod Macdonald, 7 Tobson, Bernera
2. Roderick MacDonald, 480/1 North Lochboisdale, South Uist
3. Murdo MacLennan, 5 Aignis, Stornoway
4. Neil MacLennan, "Ard Grean", Castlebay, Isle of Barra
5. Donald Macrury, c/o Hanover, 45 Borve, Isle of Lewis
6. Donald Manford, 29 Eoligarry, Isle of Barra
West Highlands (West Sutherland, Wester Ross, Skye and Lochalsh) - candidates:
1. Jonathan James Hedges, Caravan, 219 Rossal, Rogart
2. John Laing, 5 Dunanellerich, Harlosh, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye
3. I.G. Macdonald, Grianan, 1 Lower Ollach, Braes, Portree, Isle of Skye
4. Kenneth J.B.S. MacLeod, 26 Greenwood Gardens, Milton of Leys, Inverness
5. Finlay John Matheson, Arinackaig, Strathcarron, Ross & Cromarty
6. Rodney Martin Minton, 8 Durnamuck, Dundonnell, By Garve, Ross-shire
7. Sandy Murray, Achumore, Forsinard, Sutherland
8. Russell Smith, Drumbhan, Airdens, Bonar Bridge
9. Yvonne White, 8 Kingsburgh, Snizort, Isle of Skye
South West Highlands (Lochaber, Argyll and Bute, Arran and Cumbrae, Small Isles) - candidates:
1. Donald McKechnie Campbell, Machair, Kilmoluaig, Isle of Tiree, Argyll
2. Robin Currie, 10 Burnside, Bruichladdich, Islay, Argyll
3. Michael Ewen MacDonald Foxley, 2 Achaphubuil, By Fort William
4. Colin Niall Kennedy, Highland Corrie, Arinagour, Isle of Coll, Argyll
5. Billy Neilson, 27 Cruachan Cottages, Taynuilt, Argyll
The uncontested constituency covers Orkney and Caithness. The successful candidate is Arnie Pirie, who will be declared elected on the day of the election.