Nine candidates contest Inverness Ward by-election

5th September 2016

Nine candidates are to contest the upcoming by-election to elect a councillor to represent the Culloden and Ardersier Ward of The Highland Council.

The candidates are:

• Andrew JARVIE - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
• Thomas LAMONT - Independent
• Andrew James MACKINTOSH - Scottish Labour Party
• Isla MACLEOD-O'REILLY - Scottish Greens
• Duncan MACPHERSON - Independent
• David MCGRATH - Independent
• Pauline MUNRO - Scottish National Party (SNP)
• Trish ROBERTSON - Scottish Liberal Democrats
• John ROSS - Independent

The by-election is being held after John Ford, one of four Councillors for Ward 18, sadly died. The other three representatives are Councillors Roddy Balfour (Independent), Glynis Sinclair (SNP) and Kate Stephen (Scottish Liberal Democrat)

Polling will take place on Thursday 6 October between 7 am and 10pm and votes will be counted in Smithton Free Church on the following day.

Those intending to vote are reminded that the single transferable vote system is being used. Instead of using a cross, they 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.

Anyone eligible to vote in the by-election can apply for either a postal vote or to vote by proxy. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5.00pm on Wednesday, 21 September 2015 and the deadline to apply to vote by proxy is Wednesday, 28 September 2015.

The current political representation of the Council is Highland Alliance (6); Independent (32); Labour (7); Liberal Democrat (12); Scottish National Party (18); Non-aligned (4).