Postal votes issued for community council election

Postal ballot packs are on their way to voters in the Portknockie Community Council area.

An interim election is being held following a request to Moray Council to fill vacancies which have arisen on the community council, where five of the ten seats are available.

Six candidates came forward during the nomination process - Diane Anderson, Elaine Davidson, Andy Dewar, John Herd, Fraser Milton and Bert Reid.

The council formed following the last regular community council elections in October 2013 but has since seen a number of members resign or leave the area. Under the rules, an interim election is required when the point is reached where one-third of a council’s members are co-opted but vacancies still remain.

Community council elections are undertaken by full postal vote. There are no polling stations in operation, so all eligible voters in the area will receive a postal vote.

The depute returning officer, Moira Patrick, said: “Voters should read their postal vote pack carefully. Included in the pack are the candidates’ statements to help the voter choose who to vote for. The voter then has up to five choices on the ballot paper, which should be marked with an X. You can vote for one or more choices, up to a maximum of five”.

Voters have until Thursday, August 20 to return their postal vote in the envelope provided.The count will take place the following day, Friday, August 21, at Moray Council headquarters in Elgin.

For more information about this election visit www.moray.gov.uk/communitycouncils, call the elections helpline on 01343 563334 or e-mail election.enquiries@moray.gov.uk

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 92,500 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

Headquartered in  Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.