Thinking of standing in the Holyrood election? Then you’d better get your skates on!
Nominations close today for candidates to stand in next month’s Scottish Parliamentary Election – and papers must be submitted by 4pm.
The Notice of Election was published on 14 March for Edinburgh Central, Edinburgh Eastern, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Edinburgh Pentlands, Edinburgh Southern and Edinburgh Western Constituencies plus the Lothian Region.
In order to stand as a candidate, individuals must submit nomination papers, which are available on the Council website, by Friday, 1 April.
The Scottish Parliamentary Election will take place on Thursday 5 May when people living across Scotland will elect MSPs to represent them at Holyrood.
Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council and Returning Officer for Edinburgh and Regional Returning Officer for the Lothian Region, said: “The Notice of Election signifies the official start of the election period. The forthcoming election will enable the city’s residents to have their say, and I would take this opportunity to urge all citizens to use their vote.
“We are keen to continue the enthusiasm demonstrated by voters during the UK Parliamentary Election last year and the Scottish Referendum in 2014, including the 16 and 17-year-olds who will be able to vote for the first time. Anyone unsure about how to register, where to vote or how to vote by post can find more information on the Council website.”
More than 84% of the city’s residents voted in the Scottish Independence Referendum in September 2014, which also saw a record-breaking turnout across the country. At the UK Parliamentary Election in May 2015 turnout in the capital stayed high, at an average of 73% across Edinburgh’s five constituencies.
On 5 May it will be the first time that 16 and 17-year-olds can vote in a Parliamentary election after the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Bill was passed last year.
While most people who registered to vote in time for the UK Parliamentary Election will still be eligible to take part in the Scottish Parliament Election in May, first time voters or anyone who has since moved house will need to register again.Find out more about voter registration and elections on the Council website.
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