Election / Election planning an ‘additional pressure’ on council workload
PLANNING for the Scottish Parliament election in May is a “huge piece of work” which is adding to council staff’s workload, a meeting heard on Monday.
Corporate services director Christine Ferguson said, however, that “all the work is in hand”.
The Scottish Parliament election is taking place on 6 May but due to the coronavirus pandemic it will feel somewhat different than usual.
Physical distancing and hygiene measures will be in place at polling stations, while the count will not take place overnight as usual.
Lerwick member Stephen Leask asked a meeting of the council’s policy and resources committee whether the use of SIC premises for the election was causing any “sleepless nights”.
Ferguson said: “It hasn’t given me any sleepless nights because we have an excellent team working on it.”
She said the council has carried out assessments on venues and that the “detail is well in hand”.
“I’m very confident in the team that are doing it,” Ferguson said.
“It’s just another additional pressure in terms of workload, and there is the concern about turnout.”
The number of people registered for postal votes has increased in light of the pandemic.
The constituency candidates confirmed for Shetland so far are Beatrice Wishart (Liberal Democrats), Tom Wills (SNP) and Cameron Thompson (Labour).
More parties will be competing in the second vote on the ballot paper, which is for the wider Highlands and Islands regional list.
Candidates and parties have up to 31 March to submit nomination papers.
Applications to register to vote must reach the electoral registration officer by 12 midnight on 19 April.
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.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
