Ballot papers for community council elections due next week
Ballot papers for elections to Orkney’s community councils are to be sent out to voters next week.
Papers are being issued for the following community council areas:
- Birsay
- Evie & Rendall
- Graemsay, Hoy & Walls
- Kirkwall & St Ola
- Sanday
- Shapinsay
- Stromness
- Westray
Voters are to place a cross in the boxes beside their preferred candidates, with there being the option to vote for as many or as few candidates as desired, up to the number of seats available in the corresponding Community Council, which will be indicated on the ballot paper.
Different papers will be issued the four islands which are elected through the alternative system, being Eday, Flotta, North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray. The system for these islands is different due to the small size of the communities and voters should instead use their ballot papers to name their preferred candidates from within the community.
The remaining areas have enough candidates to form a community council but not more than the number of seats available.
Everyone over 16 registered to vote in a community council area where an election needs to be held will receive a ballot paper. All voting is done by post and is free, with paid envelopes to be supplied with each ballot paper.
Ballot papers must be returned by October 12. The results will be published on the OIC website once all votes have been counted.
Karen Greaves is the council’s head of executive support. She said: “We had a really positive response from the community in all areas and we’re pleased to have been able to either form a community council or be in the position of running an election process.
“Community councils are one of the most important sounding boards for the council on a range of grass roots issues and on that basis I’d encourage everyone to look out for their ballot papers and support their community council network by returning their vote.”