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 a Councillors for Ward 6 – Cromarty Firth and Ward 10 Eilean a’ Cheò

A Local Government By-Election will be held on Thursday 19 June 2025 to fill vacancies that have arisen in wards 6 and 10 following the resignations of Councillors Calum Munro and Maxine Smith.

Following the deadline for nominations at 4pm on Friday 16 May 2025, the candidates for Ward 6 – Cromarty Firth are as follows:

  • CHISHOLM, Steve - Alba Party for independence
  • COSTIGANE, Ross - Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • CROSS, Richard James - Independent
  • FORBES, Ryan - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
  • MACDONALD, Allan - Reform UK
  • MACDONALD, Odette - Scottish National Party (SNP)
  • PERERA, Michael Robert - Scottish Labour Party
  • RATTRAY, Martin - Independent
  • THOMAS, Anne - Scottish Greens

The candidates for Ward 10 – Eilean a’ Cheò are as follows:

  • COUPLAND, John - Reform UK
  • DICKSON, Campbell – Independent
  • GILLIES, Christine - Independent
  • LAWRENCE, Katy - Scottish Greens
  • MAC A’ BHÀILLIDH, Màrtainn - Scottish National Party (SNP)
  • MACDONALD, Jonathan – Independent
  • MACPHERSON, George - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
  • THOMSON, Fay - Scottish Liberal Democrats

There is one vacancy to be filled for each ward.

The Notice of Poll, key information and statutory notices relating to the forthcoming by-election:

A Candidate and Election Agent’s briefing session will be organised online via Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, 20 May 2025 at 10am which will provide further information about the poll and count and give you the opportunity to ask us any questions.  Please let us know via email election@highland.gov.uk if you wish to join this briefing, and the details to whom we should extend an invite.

How to vote

Voting at the designated polling stations will take place between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 19 June 2025.  Poll cards will be posted out and these should be checked carefully as details of where voters should go to cast their vote in person will be provided.  To find where to vote please click here  

To vote in this by-election, eligible residents must be registered to vote by midnight on Tuesday 3 June 2025.  Information about how to register and the different ways of voting in the election ie arranging for a postal or proxy voting, please go to our How to Vote  page.

For more advice on registration, postal or proxy voting please email ero@highland.gov.uk or call 0800 393783.

Key Dates to Remember 

  • Tuesday 4 June 2025 (midnight) - Registration deadline
  • Wednesday 5 June 2025 (5pm) - Deadline for new postal vote applications and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes
  • Wednesday 11 June 2025 (5pm) - Deadline for new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies)
  • Thursday 19 June 2025 (7am - 10pm) - Polling Day
  • Thursday 19 June 2025 (5pm) - Deadline for emergency proxy applications
  • Thursday 19 June 2025 (9pm) - Last time to alter the Register due to clerical error or court appeal
  • Thursday 19 June 2025(10pm) - Last time for re-issue of spoilt or lost postal votes
  • Friday 20 June 2025 (11am) - Electronic Counting of votes at the Kyleakin Community Hall

Further information on What Voters need to know prior to Polling Day.

Notices  

Pre-election Guidance and Poster Policy

Candidate Spending Returns and Declarations

Notices are hereby given below on the inspection of the returns of election spending, declarations and accompanying documents of Candidates at Highland Council By-Elections that have been previously held.

Results for previous by-elections are available here.

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