News / Shetland says No to AV
SHETLAND’s electorate have rejected plans to introduce a more proportionally representative voting system when they returned a ‘no’ majority in the referendum, which was held on Thursday.
Following the count on Friday afternoon, counting officer Jan Riise announced that 5,079 islanders, or 55.2 per cent, had voted ‘no’, while 4,121 had been in favour of the change from the current ‘First past the Post’ to the ‘Alternative Vote’ system. There was a turnout of 53.7 per cent.
The national result will only be known later today (Friday), but expectations are that the Alternative Vote system will be decisively rejected.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.