Still time to apply to vote in Inverness South By-Election
Issued on behalf of The Returning Officer
Polling will take place on Thursday 11 April 2024 to elect one of eight candidates standing in The Highland Council's Inverness South Ward by-election and voters are being reminded to make sure they are ready to cast their vote.
The by-election is being held following the resignation of Colin Aitken who was one of four Councillors representing Ward 19 on The Highland Council. The other Ward members are Councillors Ken Gowans (Scottish National Party), Duncan Macpherson (Highland Alliance) and Andrew Sinclair (Scottish Conservative and Unionist).
Anyone over 16 years old who is living in the Ward is eligible to vote in this by-election if they are registered. The last date to register to vote in this by-election is midnight on Monday 25 March 2024. To register to vote visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or call the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393 783 to request a paper application form.
Voters will be able to cast their vote in person on the day by visiting their polling station or they can apply for either a postal vote or appoint a proxy which is requesting someone to vote on their behalf.
As polling day falls within the Easter school holidays, anyone who may be away and unable to vote in person can apply for a postal vote.
The latest time to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 26 March 2024 and the deadline for anyone wishing to appoint a proxy is 5pm on Wednesday 3 April 2024.
Advice on postal and proxy voting is available by contacting the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393 783 or emailing ero@highland.gov.uk
Those intending to vote are reminded that the single transferable vote system will be used. Instead of using a cross, voters should number the candidates in the order of their choice, putting a number 1 in the box next to the name of the candidate who is their first choice, 2 in the box next to their second choice and so on. Voters can mark as many choices as they wish. Voters are asked to put no other mark on the ballot paper as this could result in their vote not being counted.
The candidates are:
- CHARTIER Jonathan - Scottish Liberal Democrats
- DUNCAN Jimmy - Alba Party
- FORBES Ryan - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
- MACDONALD Andrew - Sovereignty
- MCDONALD Duncan Cameron - Independent
- SHANKS Gordon - Scottish National Party (SNP)
- SHARMA Arun - Scottish Green Party
- STEVENSON Ron - Scottish Labour Party