Countdown continues to council election
Published 1 May 2012 09:00
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A TOTAL of 72 candidates have confirmed their intention to stand in the forthcoming local government elections in the Borders.
However, with only 34 seats available on the council, more than half will be left disappointed.
Nominations for prospective councillors ahead of the poll on May 3 closed on Thursday.
The Conservative Party has nominated most candidates in the Borders, fielding 14 in total.
There are 12 Lib Dem representatives, 12 SNP, 11 from the Borders Party, eight Labour and two Green Party contenders, along with 13 independents.
Councillors are to be elected for each of the 11 wards of Scottish Borders Council. The Galashiels and District ward will elect four councillors. The number of councillors to be elected for each of the remaining wards, which include Tweeddale East and Tweeddale West, is three.
How to have your say on the 3rd of May
As voters head to polling stations to cast their vote in the council election on Thursday 3 May, Scottish Borders Council (SBC) is reminding voters of some simple steps to make sure they have their say:
· Check where you should vote. Details of your local polling station is on your poll card. If you have not received it or are unsure of where to go call 01835 825005. Polling stations will be open from 7am - 10pm. A list of polling stations is also available on www.scotborders.gov.uk/elections
· Bring your poll card with you to the polling station, it may speed things up. Don't worry if you don't have it though - you can still vote without it.
· Remember that this year you vote using numbers instead of using an X. Just put a number 1 next to your first choice, a number 2 next to your second choice and so on. As long as you number at least one, your vote will be counted. Make sure the numbers are consecutive i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4 - otherwise votes might not count.
· If you're unsure of how to complete your ballot paper, a member of staff at the polling station will be able to help you. You can also visit our 'how to vote' pages at www.scotborders.gov.uk/elections to view an animated character called Victor the Voter who will explain what to do when you go to vote on 3 May.
· After you have voted, do NOT fold your ballot paper before you put it in the ballot box. This will ensure the scanning process runs smoothly during the count on Friday 4 May.
· If you applied for a postal vote, make sure it is returned by 10pm on Thursday 3 May. If you have left it too late to post back, you can drop it off at your polling station or at SBC Headquarters, Newtown St Boswells, TD6 0SA.
For more information on voting and the elections visit www.scotborders.gov.uk/elections or www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
Keep up to date with the results
During the count, SBC staff will be online from the count centre at Eildon Mill providing live updates via Twitter @sbcelection and online www.scotborders.gov.uk/electionresults
This article appeared in Border Telegraph 01 May 12
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