Council election polling

Coatbridge vote

Voters in Coatbridge South will go to the polls tomorrow to elect their new councillor – and are being urged to ensure they have their say at the ballot box.

Returning officer Des Murray said: “It’s important that everyone in the ward who is eligible uses their vote.

“The council runs a range of services such as schools, roads, parks, housing, and waste; and elected members represent local residents on issues affecting them, their families and communities.

“I’d encourage residents to use their vote and have their say on local issues.”

There are six candidates in the election, called following the death in August of Labour councillor Gordon Encinias.

They are Ben Callaghan of the Conservatives ; Green candidate Rosemary McGowan; Lesley Mitchell of the SNP; Liberal Democrat Christopher Wilson; Neil Wilson of UKIP; and Labour representative Geraldine Woods.

They are bidding to join SNP duo Tracy Carragher and Fergus MacGregor and Labour depute provost Tom Castles in representing the ward.

Polling runs from 7am to 10pm and uses the single transferable vote system, in which voters mark candidates in order of preference using the numbers 1 to 6, marking as many or as few as they wish.

Ballots will be cast at Charlotte Toal and Calder community centres, St Mary’s and Calder Parish church halls, Kirkshaws Primary and the Shawhead centre; and will then be counted at the Time Capsule.

Voters who have not received a polling card should call 01698 302119.