New Polling Scheme approved

Changes to a number of Polling Districts and Polling Places in the Highlands were agreed yesterday (Thursday 5 September) at the meeting of The Highland Council.

Members approved a new Scheme of Polling Districts and Polling Places that will be in place for the next four years. This follows a formal review of Highland Polling Districts and Places which is required to be undertaken every four years under the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013.

All local authorities have to divide their area into polling district for parliamentary election purposes, and to designate polling places for these polling districts.  The aim of regularly reviewing the Scheme is to ensure that electors have reasonable facilities for voting and so far as reasonable and practical, the designated polling places are accessible to all electors. 

The detailed report presented to councillors follows the Council’s statutory review that commenced in October last year. All elected representatives including Members, community councils. MSPs, MPs, and various groups and bodies including access groups were consulted. The public have also had an opportunity to provide their comments during the review process.

Following approval by Highland Council details of the new scheme of polling districts and polling places will be published on the council’s website and will be available from this link

https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/799/elections_and_voting/718/review_of_polling_places

Individuals, however, still have a right to make representations to the Electoral Commission regarding the findings of the  review. Representations must be in writing by post (Legal Counsel, Electoral Commission, 3 Bunhill Row, London, EC1Y 8YZ), Tel: 020 7271 0500 or e-mail (appeals@electoralcommission.org.uk) and should be specific as possible.