Press Release
Where will you be on Thursday 5 May?
With both the Scottish Parliament election and the first UK-wide referendum in over 30 years taking place on Thursday 5 May, the Shetland Islands Council is urging voters in Shetland to be ready to have their say.
Shetland’s Returning Officer Jan Riise said: “Members of the public need to be aware that now is the time to make sure they're registered to vote. The deadline for doing this is Friday 15 April, but my advice would be the sooner the better. Electors wishing to apply for a postal vote should do so by Thursday 14 April and to vote by proxy, Thursday 21 April. Further information is available from the local Electoral Registration Office in Lerwick on 01595 745700. You can also get information and download forms from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
The Shetland Islands Council has also set up a dedicated Elections Page on its internet site. This will be used for providing updated information from now until the election results are announced on 6th May. Mr Riise continued, “We’re keen to ensure that we’re providing up to date information to the public, so are promoting our website. The page is available on the front-page of the Council’s website, under “Elections”. The full address is www.shetland.gov.uk/elections
In the Scottish Parliament election, voters in Shetland will be able to cast their vote for who they want to represent them in the Shetland constituency and also the Highlands and Islands region. The referendum is on the voting system used for elections to the UK Parliament. The question being put to voters on 5 May is: “At present, the UK uses the ’first past the post’ system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the ’alternative vote’ system be used instead?”