It’s time to cast your vote

Residents in Coatbridge North & Glenboig will choose their new councillor tomorrow as polling takes place in the ward’s council by-election.

Five candidates are standing in the race to become North Lanarkshire’s newest councillor.

They are Ben Callaghan of the Conservatives; Stephen Kirley of the SNP; Alex McVey of Labour; John Wilson of the Greens; and Neil Wilson of UKIP.

Votes will be cast in 12 polling places in the district – Greenhill, Langloan, St Bartholomew’s, St Patrick’s and Townhead primaries, Dunbeth nursery centre and the joint Glenboig/ Our Lady & St Joseph’s campus; plus at Glenboig neighbourhood house, Holy Trinity & All Saints Church hall, Townhead community centre, the Masonic Hall on Coltswood Road and at Summerlee museum.

Polls will be open from 7am until 10pm, with the count then taking place at the local authority’s Coatbridge offices at the Municipal Buildings on Kildonan Street.

Voting is conducted using the single transferable vote system, meaning that ballot papers should be marked in order of preference, with 1 the most preferred candidate to 5 for the least preferred candidate. Voters can mark as many or as few candidates as they wish.

Returning officer Paul Jukes, the chief executive of North Lanarkshire Council, said: “It’s important that everyone who is eligible uses their vote tomorrow.

“Elected members represent local people on a wide variety of issues affecting them and their families, including schools, roads, parks, housing, and waste services.”

The vacancy in the ward was created by the resignation of former councillor Fulton MacGregor following his election to the Scottish Parliament in May, and tomorrow’s winner will become one of four members for Coatbridge North, alongside Labour duo Michael McPake and Bill Shields, and Julie McAnulty of the SNP.

Voters resident in the Coatbridge North & Glenboig ward who have not received their polling card should contact the council’s election office on 01698 302119.