Nine candidates to contest Highland Council by-election
3rd November 2018
Nine candidates are standing for election to fill a vacancy for the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Ward of The Highland Council.
The by-election is being held following the resignation of Kate Stephen who was one of four Councillors representing Ward 5. The other Ward members are Councillors Biz Campbell (Independent), Ian Cockburn (Scottish National Party) and Derek MacLeod (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)
The candidates standing are:
Gavin Berkenheger - Scottish Conservative and Unionist
Christopher Birt - Scottish Labour Party
Irene Frances Brandt - Scottish Green Party
Harry Christian - Scottish Libertarian Party
Jean Davis - Independent
Les Durance - UKIP Scotland
Richard Greene - Independent
Alexander MacInnes - Scottish National Party (SNP)
George Scott - Scottish Liberal Democrats
Voting will take place on Thursday 6 December with the count taking place within the ward on Friday 7.
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.
Anyone eligible to vote can vote in person on the day or apply for either a postal vote or to vote by proxy. The latest time to apply for a postal vote is 5.00pm on Tuesday 20 November and the deadline for anyone wishing to apply to vote by proxy is Tuesday 27 December. Advice on postal and proxy voting is available by contacting the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783.
The Notice of Poll with details of the candidates and their agents is available from The Highland Council's website - :
https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/799/elections_and_voting/395/local_government_by-elections
The current political make-up of The Highland Council is as follows;
Independent (27)
Non-aligned (2)
Scottish Conservative and Unionist (11)
Scottish Green Party (1)
Scottish Labour Party (3)
Scottish Liberal Democrats (9)
Scottish National Party (19)
Sutherland Independent Group (1)
With 1 vacancy for Ward 5.
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