Ballot papers out for elections to Crofting Commission

Postal ballot papers were issued on Tuesday to the 10,877 voters eligible in the forthcoming Crofting Commission elections to elect five new board members.

Twenty-eight candidates are vying for five places on the board to representing Shetland, East Highlands, Western Isles, West Highlands & South West and Highlands. There will be no contest in the sixth area – Orkney and Caithness – where Arnie Pirie has been elected unopposed.

The election will be conducted under the Alternative Vote System and ballot papers must be returned in the envelope provided by 4pm on Thursday, 15th March. The count will take place at Inverness Town Hall on Friday 16th March.

In Shetland 1,497 voters can choose from four candidates: Peter Dodge from Cunningsburgh, Kathleen Sinclair from Scousburgh, David Smith from Levenwick and Marjorie Williamson from Burra.

Scottish Crofting Federation chairmanr Derek Flyn said: “It is vital to have a good turnout in the ballot to ensure that the new commission has not only the authority but also the popular backing to act in the best interests of crofting. The alternative vote system will be unfamiliar to some people, so it is important to read the instructions on the ballot paper before casting your vote. Many excellent candidates have come forward and we wish them well in this historic election that SCF has campaigned for over many years.”