Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar Election Office

17/08/2023

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯

2023 is the 50th anniversary of the legislation which brought Community Councils into existence, the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. The Act defined the purpose of a
Community Council as:
“to ascertain, co-ordinate and express to the Local Authorities for its area and to public authorities the views of the community which it represents, in relation to matters for which those authorities are responsible.”

During the last 50 years, Community Councils across Scotland have made important contributions to their communities, by engaging with local people on the issues which matter to them and working to change their area for the better.

While the role of the Community Councils has remained much the same since 1973, the introduction of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 provides new statutory rights for Community Councils, while the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 also strengthened Community Councils’ engagement with the planning system.

Within Na h-Eileanan Iar there are 30 Community Council areas and the elections for the next four-year term will commence on 8 September 2023. Membership is open to those over 16
years of age who are registered electors within the boundary of the Community Council. The Notice of Election and details of how to obtain and return nomination forms will be available
on the Comhairle website.

31/08/2022

Bays of Harris Community Ballot 2022

Eligible electors in respect of the Bays of Harris Community Ballot will be receiving their ballot packs over the next few days.

Completed ballot papers should be returned as soon as possible and before the deadline for receipt of ballot papers (Wednesday 14 September 2022 at 12.00 noon). Ballot Papers can be returned, using the reply-paid envelope included in the packs, or they can be hand delivered to the Council Offices in Stornoway, Tarbert or Balivanich.

18/08/2022

Don’t lose your vote

Residents in Highland and Western Isles are being urged to check their electoral registration details or risk losing their chance to vote on decisions that affect them.
The Electoral Registration Officer will be getting in touch with every household to check that the electoral register is up to date, and to identify any residents who should be registered but are currently missing.

Bill Gillies, Electoral Registration Officer for Highland and Western Isles, said:
“Keep an eye out for updates from the Electoral Registration Office in Highland or Western Isles. The annual canvass is our way of making sure that the information on the electoral register for every address is accurate. To make sure you don’t lose your say at the next election, look out for instructions from us”.
“If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear in the communications we send. If you want to register, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, or alternatively you can call us and we’ll post you information explaining how to do this.”
Recent home movers in particular are urged to check their details. Electoral Commission research has found that recent home movers are less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time. In Great Britain, 92% of those who have lived in their home for 16 years will be registered, compared with 36% of people who have lived at an address for less than a year.

Andy O’Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland, said:
“It’s really important that everyone who is eligible to vote is able to do so. We urge people to look out for updates from their Electoral Registration Officer on this year’s canvass. If you are not registered to vote, make sure you provide the necessary information to your Electoral Registration Officer when asked and register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.”

Information on registering to vote is available on the Electoral Commission website.

Any residents who have questions can contact their local registration team on 0800 393 783.

Get on the electoral register so you can vote in elections and referendums.

18/08/2022

03/05/2022

Local Government Elections: 5 May 2022

• Postal voters must return their postal pack by 10.00pm on
Thursday 5 May 2022. If you have left it too late to post, you
can drop it in at any Polling Station or to the Comhairle
Offices.
• All ballot boxes will be securely stored until the Count which
takes place on Friday 6 May.

Voting by post? Don’t forget to:
 read all the instructions carefully
 mark your vote on your ballot paper in secret
 take care filling in the postal voting statement
 put all the documents in the correct envelopes
 seal the envelope yourself
 post your ballot back as quickly as possible to make sure it’s
counted
Find out more at electoralcommission.org.uk/voter

Everything you need to know about voting in UK elections

26/04/2022

Local Government Elections: 5 May 2022
No Elections In Wards 1, 6 and 11 on 5th May

Voters in the uncontested wards of Ward 1 - Barraigh Agus Bhatarsaigh, Ward 6 - Sgìr’ Ùige agus Carlabhagh and Ward 11 - Sgìre an Rubha are reminded that no elections will be taking place on 5th May, unlike the other wards in the Western Isles.

In Barraigh agus Bhatarsaigh, Kenneth John Maclean has been elected. In Sgìr’ Ùige agus Carlabhagh Ranald Fraser has been elected. In both wards no other nominations were received and a by-election will be held for the remaining seat in each ward in the near future. New Poll Cards will be issued in advance of the by-election.

In Sgìre an Rubha, Norrie ‘Tomsh’ Macdonald and Finlay Stewart have been elected to the two seats.

25/04/2022

Local Government Election: 5 May 2022

Proxy Vote Deadline

Electors who are unable to attend a polling station are reminded that the deadline for applying for a proxy vote is today, Tuesday 26 April, at 5.00pm.

Applying for a proxy vote means that you will appoint someone else that you trust to vote on your behalf. Anyone can be a proxy as long as they are eligible to vote in the election and are willing to act on your behalf. Proxy voting is available to those people who cannot reasonably expect to attend a polling station because of a physical incapacity, employment reasons, attendance at courses, hospital appointments etc.
For further information or to apply for a proxy vote you should contact the Electoral Registration Officer, 42 Point Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, HS1 2XF on 01851 706262 or download an application form through the Electoral Registration Officer’s website - ERO website.

11/04/2022

One week left to register to vote in upcoming council elections

With only one week to go until the voter registration deadline for next month’s council elections, anyone wanting to vote must make sure they are registered in time.

Anyone living in Scotland who will be 16 or over on 5 May, can register to vote in these elections. For those not already registered, the deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 18 April. Residents can apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. It takes just five minutes.

On Thursday 5 May voters will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them on their council. This year residents in Highland and Western Isles will be voting to elect councillors, who will represent their local area, and make decisions in areas such as education, social care and housing.

Bill Gillies, Electoral Registration Officer for Highland and Western Isles said:
“With only one week to go, time is running out to make sure you can take part in the local elections. These elections are an important opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues that directly affect day-to-day life in the Western Isles. In order to be able to vote, residents must be on the electoral register. So if you’re not registered by midnight on 18 April, you won’t be able to take part.”

Andy O’Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland, said:
“You can only take part in the May elections if you are registered to vote, and time is running out. It’s quick and easy – it takes just five minutes online at www.gov.uk/registertovote.
“If you have recently turned 16 or moved home, it is particularly important that you make sure you are correctly registered to vote.
“If you were registered to vote in the last election and your details have not changed, you don’t need to take any action. If in doubt, you can check with your electoral registration office by calling 0800 393 783”.

Voters have a range of options – they can vote in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on 19 April, and for a proxy vote the deadline is 5pm on 26 April.

For information on elections in your area, how to register to vote, or how to apply to vote by post or by proxy, visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter. This page will continue to be updated ahead of the polls.

Get on the electoral register so you can vote in elections and referendums.

04/04/2022

𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮: 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗹𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗮𝗿: 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀

The following Notices can be found on the Comhairle's Website https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting/local-government-election-2022/statutory-notices/

Notice of Poll and Notice of Uncontested Election
Notice of Election Agents
Notice of Situation of Polling Stations

Local Government Elections 2022 - Statutory Notices

04/04/2022

Two weeks left to register to vote in upcoming council elections

With only two weeks until the voter registration deadline for local elections in May, the Electoral Registration Officer for Highland & Western Isles urges residents to make sure they are registered in time.

Anyone living in Scotland who will be 16 or over on 5 May, can register to vote in these elections. For those not already registered, the deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 18 April. Residents can apply online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. It takes just five minutes.

On Thursday 5 May voters will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them on their local council. This year residents in Highland & Western Isles will be voting to elect councillors, who will represent their local area and residents, and make decisions in areas such as education, social care and housing.

Bill Gillies, Electoral Registration Officer for Highland & Western Isles, said:
“With only two weeks to go, time is running out to make sure you can take part in the local elections. These elections are an important opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues that directly affect day-to-day life here in Highland and Western Isles. In order to vote in the elections, residents must be on the electoral register. So if you’re not already registered, you must do so by 18 April, otherwise you won’t be able to take part.”

Andy O’Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland, said:
“You can only take part in these elections if you are registered to vote, and the deadline is fast approaching. It’s quick and easy – it takes just five minutes online at www.gov.uk/registertovote.
“If you have recently turned 16 or moved home, it is particularly important that you make sure you are correctly registered to vote.
“If you were registered to vote in the last election and your details have not changed, you don’t need to take any action. If in doubt, you can check with your electoral registration office by calling 0800 393 783.

Get on the electoral register so you can vote in elections and referendums.

28/03/2022

DEADLINE FOR NOMINATIONS - REMINDER

The Returning Officer, Mr Malcolm Burr, is reminding prospective candidates wishing to stand for the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar local government election that the deadline for submitting nomination forms is 4.00pm on Wednesday 30 March 2022.

It would be helpful if forms were returned as early as possible to allow the Election Team to conduct an informal check.

Nominations may be handed in at the following offices:
Council Offices, Sandwick Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
Council Offices, Tarbert, Isle of Harris
Council Offices, Balivanich, Isle of Benbecula
Council Offices, Castlebay, Isle of Barra

24/03/2022

Local Government Elections 5 May 2022 – Reminder: Close of Nominations

The Returning Officer, Mr Malcolm Burr, is reminding prospective candidates wishing to stand for the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar local government election that the deadline for submitting nomination forms is 4.00pm on Wednesday 30 March 2022.

It would be helpful if forms were returned as early as possible to allow the Election Team to conduct an informal check.

Nominations may be handed in at the following offices:
Council Offices, Sandwick Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
Council Offices, Tarbert, Isle of Harris
Council Offices, Balivanich, Isle of Benbecula
Council Offices, Castlebay, Isle of Barra