Tape goes up on Ross by-election

VOTING is underway in the Highland Council by-election for the Tain and Easter Ross ward.

The polls at seven stations across the ward opened at 7am this morning and will close at 10pm.

Five candidates are vying to fill the vacancy created following the death of SNP councillor Alan Torrance.

They are Antony Gardner (Scottish Liberal Democrats); Michael Herd (Independent); Derek Louden (Scottish National Party); Ruairidh Mackenzie (Independent); and Fiona Robertson (Independent).

The count will take place at the Duthac Centre, Tain, tomorrow.

A Highland Council spokeswoman said the results were expected around lunchtime.

The spokeswoman reminded those intending to vote that the single transferable vote system was being used in the by-election.

She explained: "Instead of using a cross, voters should number the candidates in the order of their choice, putting a number 1 in the box next to the name of the candidate who is their first choice, 2 in the box next to their second choice and so on.

"Voters can mark as many choices as they wish. Voters are asked to put no other mark on the ballot paper as this could result in their vote not being counted."

Councillor Torrance was one of three councillors representing Tain and East Ross. The other two representatives are Alasdair Rhind and Richard Durham, both Independent.

The electorate is 6,959.