Voters urged to put X in boxes

Lanarkshire residents are being urged to ensure they use their vote in the local government elections this week.

Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on election day (May 5) – with voters in North Lanarkshire choosing 77 representatives in 21 multi-member wards, while neighbouring South Lanarkshire will return 64 councillors across its 20 seats.

The election uses the single transferable vote system in which voters number candidates in order of preference on their ballot papers, using 1 for their first choice, 2 for their second and so on; and numbering as many or as few candidates as they choose.

Voters will have received a poll card telling them where to go to cast their vote, and information on polling places is available on the Electoral Commission’s website.

Staff will also be on hand in polling stations to provide any help needed as voters choose the councillors who will run their local services for the next five years.

North Lana r k s h i r e election officials are also assuring voters that “public health measures will be in place, similar to those in other indoor venues”, adding: “Voters are asked to wear face coverings and allow onemetre distancing to protect themselves and others.”

Anyone who is selfisolating or becomes unwell as a result of Covid-19 can apply for an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm on polling day, which allows them to nominate someone they trust to go to their polling place and vote on their behalf, with details available on the Electoral Commission website.

North Lana r k s h i r e returning officer Des Murray said: “Make sure you check the information on your poll card, as your polling place might have changed since the last election.

“You do not need your poll card to vote, but we encourage you to bring it with you to make the process quicker and more efficient.

“Voters who have opted to vote by post must return their postal ballot pack by 10pm; they can hand it in at their polling place if they don’t have time to return it by post.”

Turnout i n Nor t h Lanarkshire at the 2017 election varied from a ward high of 50.5 per cent in Cumbernauld North to just 38 per cent in Coatbridge South – meaning nearly two in every three voters in the latter did not cast their vote.

In South Lanarkshire, voter participation rates ranged from 54.5 per cent in Clydesdale East to 39 per cent in Hamilton West & Earnock.