Highland Council give notice of by-election for Tain and Easter Ross ward
Notice of a by-election for a councillor to represent Tain & Easter Ross has been given by Highland Council, after a vacancy left by the passing of one its longest serving members.
The local authority confirmed the timetable for the by-election last month, prompted by the sudden passing of long-serving independent councillor Alasdair Rhind, who died on Thursday, April 4 aged 65.
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The successful candidate will join existing ward members Derek Louden (SNP) and Maureen Ross (Highland Independent).
Returning officer, Derek Brown said: “This is an opportunity to join The Highland Council to represent the Tain and Easter Ross Ward, so I encourage anyone interested to put themselves forward.”
Candidate nomination forms can be downloaded from highland.gov.uk/byelection or by contacting the election office via email election@highland.gov.uk, or phoning 01349 886657.
Highland Council have advised that completed nomination papers must be returned by hand to the returning officer, at the Highland Council Offices, Conival Meeting Room, Drummuie, Golspie KW10 6TA.
This must be done by prior appointment between the hours of 10am and 4pm on any working day (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and the public holiday on Monday May 6) after the date of this notice, and before 4pm, Friday May 10.
Prior to lodging papers, candidates and agents are being asked to email election@highland.gov.uk or contact 07496 176004 or 07775 411321 to arrange an appointment.
Before the original documents are officially lodged by hand to the returning officer, candidates can scan and email their forms to election@highland.gov.uk for an informal check.
If the seat is contested, the poll will take place on Thursday June 13, 2024 with an electronic count taking place on Friday June 14 in Tain.
Anyone over 16 years old who is living in the Ward is eligible to vote in this By-Election if they are registered.
To register to vote visit gov.uk/register-to-vote. Alternatively, call the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783 to request a paper application form.
The last date to register to vote in this by-election is midnight on Tuesday May 28, 2024.
Voters in Ward 7 will be able to cast their vote in person on the day by visiting their local polling station or they can apply for either a postal vote or to vote by proxy.
The latest time to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday May 29 and the deadline for anyone wishing to appoint a proxy, which is someone to vote on their behalf, is 5pm on Wednesday June 5.
Advice on postal and proxy voting is available by contacting the Electoral Registration Office on 0800 393783.
