Use your vote

ISLANDERS not yet on the Register of Electors are asked to apply now if they want to exercise their vote at the council elections on 3 May.

Anyone not already registered has until 18 April to get in touch with the Electoral Registration Office, in Lerwick.

They can be contacted at 01595 745700 or ero@shetland.gov.uk.

All application forms can be downloaded from their website at: www.orkney-shetland-vjb.co.uk/ELECTORAL.html#DOWNLOADS

Senior electoral assistant Ian Leslie said that everyone eligible to vote should have received their poll card in post during the last few days.

“If you don’t, please contact the Electoral Registration Office to confirm that you will be able to take part.

”If you have recently moved, you may not be registered however, you still have time to add your name or change your entry on the register,” he said.

Anyone wanting to vote by post or proxy rather than going to a polling station on 3 May will also have to make arrangements to be able to cast their vote.

Completed postal voting applications may be made up to 5pm on 18 April, with proxy voting applications being accepted up to 5pm on 25 April.

The Electoral Registration Office is at Charlotte House, Commercial Road, in Lerwick.

Forty three candidates have put forward their names for the 22 seats, elected in seven multi member wards.

Candidates are elected by Single Transferable Vote (STV), which means electors are being asked to number the candidate in order of their choice.

Polling stations across the isles are open between 7am and 10pm. Counting will take place the following morning with a final result expected at or before lunchtime of 4 May.