Highland Council by-election call for Aird and Loch Ness ward follows death of councillor

A CALL for nominations to fill a seat on Highland Council has been made ahead of a by-election.

The Notice of Election and nomination forms for the Ward 12 Aird and Loch Ness by-election have been published with a deadline of October 5.

It is being held following the death of George Cruickshank, who was one of four councillors representing the ward. The others are Helen Carmichael (Independent), Margaret Davidson (Independent) and Emma Knox (Scottish National Party).

Unless the by-election is uncontested, voting will take place between 7am and 10pm on Thursday, November 5 with the count taking place the following day.

Candidates can scan and email their forms to election@highland.gov.uk for informal checking before the original documents are officially lodged by hand with the depute returning officer at The Highland Council, Town House, High Street, Inverness.

Prior to lodging papers, candidates and agents should contact the depute returning officer to arrange an appointment. Full details of the process and contact numbers to confirm appointments are available on the website .

Details of nominations received will be published after 4pm on the 5th October on the council’s website

Any elector may apply for a postal or proxy vote at this election. Applications to vote by post, to cancel or alter postal and proxy votes, or to change from postal to proxy voting at this election must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Wednesday, October 21.

Applications to vote by proxy must be received by 5pm on Wednesday, October 28.

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