A new Political Leader at Orkney Islands Council and a by-election in Stromness and the South Isles

The arrangements for the election of a new Political Leader at Orkney Islands Council and a by-election in Stromness and the South Isles, and have been announced.

Both processes follow the retirement of Councillor James Stockan last month.

A Special General Meeting will take place at 9:30am on 20 February in the Council Chamber for Councillors to elect a new Political Leader.

A Notice of Election has been published today – Thursday 8 February – for a by-election for the vacant Stromness and South Isles election.

Polling day will be Thursday 28 March, with the count taking place immediately following the close of poll.

Those wishing to stand for election will need to have their nomination papers in by 16:00 on Monday 26 February.

All the details about the process are available at orkney.gov.uk/ssibe24 or by contacting the Elections Office by telephone on 01856 886 350 or by email electionoffice@orkney.gov.uk

Voters have until midnight on Tuesday 12 March to ensure they are registered to vote.  The deadline for applying for a postal vote will be 17:00 on 13 March, with the deadline for a proxy vote being 17:00 on 20 March.

Council Chief Executive Oliver Reid is Returning Officer for the by-election.  He said: “Following the retirement of James Stockan there are two key processes that need to take place – one for elected members to select their new Political Leader and one for people in Stromness and the South Isles to elect who should represent them.

“Both are subject to very specific  - but different – processes.

“The by-election in particular has a number of different stages that must be completed - from candidates standing for election, to polling cards and postal votes being sent out, to polling day itself.

“Our elections team  - led by myself as Returning Officer – have in place a plan to work through these stages communicating clearly throughout with candidates and voters on what is expected of them.

“For those wishing to stand, they have until 4.00pm on Monday 26 February to do so.  Information on how they do this is available on the Council website and through our elections team.

“For voters – and for this election that is anyone over 16 -  they should now be thinking  about whether they intend to vote in person at polling stations in Stromness and Kirkwall or whether they intend to apply for a postal vote or a proxy vote.  They should also be making sure, particularly if they have moved house, that their details are up to date with the Electoral Registration Office.”

Enquiries relating to electoral registration and postal and proxy vote applications are dealt with by the Electoral Registration Office. They can be contacted by telephone on 01856 876222 or by email on ero@orkney.gov.uk