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Highland Council postpones by-election for ward until next year because of Covid-19 coronavirus


By Andrew Dixon

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Councillor George Cruickshank.
Councillor George Cruickshank.

Highland Council has postponed the by-election for the Aird and Loch Ness ward due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Following the death of Councillor George Cruickshank (Conservative) in April, a by-election was set for November 5.

Council chief executive and returning officer Donna Manson said: “I have held a number of meetings with my election team and considered the risks to election staff, the public and the democratic process. In light of the current public health advice around the control of the coronavirus and under the provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020 I am postponing this by-election of the vacancy until a future date in 2021.

“The decision to postpone has been made following consultation with Scottish ministers, the electoral management board convener, Electoral Commission and my elections team – while taking into account the latest public health advice.

“This decision is not made lightly but is made under the very fast-moving situation of the Covid-19 crisis which continues to have a significant impact on our daily lives. The pandemic has seriously impacted on our ability to deliver safe democratic processes to enable the by-election to take place and the health and safety of the public and our elections staff is paramount.”


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