25th April 2010
The number of people in the Highlands seeking to vote by post at the General Election has increased again.
Across the three parliamentary constituencies, 21,908 voters have registered their interest in voting by post, 9,734 more than at the General Election in May 2005, and 16,224 more than in June 2001.
The breakdown of postal vote applications is:
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross (total electorate, 47,257) : 5,497;
Ross, Skye and Lochaber (51,836) : 6,094;
Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (72,528): 10,317.
Postal ballot papers should start arriving on doorsteps from Tuesday 27 April and voters are urged to return them as quickly as they can.
If postal voting papers have not arrived by Friday 30 April, voters are asked to contact the election helpline 0845 603 5528. If a voter loses or accidentally spoils their postal ballot paper, they should call the election helpline as soon as possible. Replacement ballot papers can only be issued from Friday 30 April.
Those voting by post must sign (or mark) the postal voting statement and provide their date of birth. This is a security measure. Without signature and date of birth, the statement will not be valid and the vote will not be counted. The Returning Officer can cross check your signature against other records that he holds.
The Returning Officer must receive postal votes by 10 pm on Thursday 6 May. Should they so wish, postal voters can choose to deliver their completed voting papers to any polling stations in the constituency up until this time. Polling at 294 polling stations across the Highlands will take place on Thursday 6 May between 7 am - 10 pm.
The counts at the three constituencies will begin soon after the polls close and will take place overnight at the Assembly Rooms, Wick; Dingwall Leisure Centre and Inverness Leisure.
The increase in the number of postal votes to be verified and counted could lengthen the counts but the results are still expected to be declared overnight.
Nominations for Highland Consituencies
A total of 21 candidates are seeking election on Thursday 6 May in the three Highland UK Parliamentary constituencies.
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Constituency has attracted five candidates; Ross Skye and Lochaber Constituency, seven candidates; and Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Constituency, nine candidates.
Voting takes place between 7.00 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Thursday 6 May at 294 polling stations (76 in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross; 115 in Ross Skye and Lochaber; and 103 in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey).
The count will take place overnight, starting as soon after 10 pm as possible at the following venues: Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross - The Assembly Rooms, Wick; Ross Skye and Lochaber - Dingwall Leisure Centre; and Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey - Inverness Leisure Centre.
The Returning officer for the three constituencies is Alistair Dodds, Chief Executive of The Highland Council.
Further information on the election and previous election results are available via the home page of The Highland Council's web site: www.highland.gov.uk
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Constituency
CAMPBELL, Gordon
9 Poles Road, Dornoch, Sutherland, IV25 3HP
Independent
GRAHAM, Alastair
Westlea, Sutherland Street, Helmsdale KW8 6LQ
Scottish Conservative & Unionist
MACKAY, John
Bellmaya, Dunnet, Thurso KW14 8YD
Scottish Labour Party
THURSO, John Archibald
Thurso East Mains, Thurso, Caithness, KW14 8HW
Scottish Liberal Democrats
URQUHART, Jean
4 West Lane, Ullapool IV26 2UT
Scottish National Party (SNP)
Ross, Skye and Lochaber Constituency
ANDERSON, Philip Andrew
Broomhill Farm, Fortrose, Ross-shire, IV10 8SH
UK Independence Party
CAMERON, Donald Andrew John
Achnacarry, Spean Bridge, Inverness-shire PH34 4EJ
Scottish Conservatives
CAMPBELL, Ronnie
5 Bohuntin, Roy Bridge, Lochaber, PH31 4AH
Independent
KENNEDY, Charles Peter
Caberfeidh, Lochyside, Fort William, PH33 7NX
Scottish Liberal Democrats
MCKENDRICK, John Dempster
Address in the Glasgow Central Constituency
Scottish Labour Party
SCOTT, Eleanor Roberta
Tir Nan Oran, 8 Culcairn Road, Evanton IV16 9YT
Scottish Green Party
STEPHEN, Alasdair MacGregor
Larach Na H-Iodhlainn, Ferrindonald, Sleat, Skye IV44 8RF
Scottish National Party (SNP)
Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
ALEXANDER, Danny
15 Mitchell Road, Aviemore PH22 1SH
Scottish Liberal Democrats
BOYD, Dr Donald Macleod
Address in the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Constituency
Scottish Christian Party "Proclaiming Christ's Lordship"
DURANCE, Ross Scott
Address in the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Constituency
UK Independence Party
FERGUSON, Jim
Address in the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Constituency
Scottish Conservative and Unionist
FINNIE, John
29 Bellfield Park, Inverness IV2 4TA
Scottish National Party (SNP)
FRASER, Kit
Annahill, Kirkhill, Inverness IV5 7PL
The Joy of Talk
MACDONALD, George
8 Maxwell Drive, Inverness IV3 5EX
Solidarity - Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
MACLEOD, Donnie
Kylerona Farm, Ardersier, Inverness, IV2 7QZ
Scottish Green Party
ROBB, Mike
4 Duddingston Park, Edinburgh EH15 1JN
Scottish Labour Party