HIGHLAND council have confirmed the details of the seven candidates standing in the Tain and Easter Ross ward by-election.
The ballot will take place on Thursday September 28 after LibDem councillor Sarah Rawlings resigned due to ill health.
The three-member ward is currently represented by councillors Derek Louden, SNP, and Alasdair Rhind, an independent.
And now, Highland Council have confirmed that seven candidates will contest the seat over the next month.
The candidates are Gordon Allison (SNP), Andrew Barnett (Scottish Greens), Harry Christian (Scottish Libertarian Party), Veronica Morrison (Scottish Tory), Michael Perera (Scottish Labour), Maureen Ross (Independent), and Charles Stephen (LibDems).
Highland Council said that eligible residents must be registered to vote by midnight on Tuesday September 12 to take part in the ballot.
“Voting at the designated polling stations will take place between 7am and 10pm on Thursday 28 September 2023,” the local authority said.
“Poll cards will be posted out and these should be checked carefully as details of where voters should go to cast their vote in person will be provided.
“To avoid any disruption to pupils, Hill of Fearn Primary school will not be used as a polling station.
“Voters who usually vote in Fearn should go to the Seaboard Memorial Hall in Balintore to vote in person or alternatively apply for a postal vote.”
The latest date to apply for a postal vote for the by-election is 5pm on Wednesday September 13.
Rawlings announced her decision to stand down as LibDem councillor for the ward in June, and also stepped back from her role as champion of Armed Forces and Veterans on the local authority.
She said at the time: "My health has continued to deteriorate over the past year and if I stand any chance of stabilising my condition then I must step away from all commitments and what I cannot do is struggle on at reduced capacity.
“Those who elected me deserve a fully functioning representative.”
She added that she regretted “not being able to fulfil the promises” she made to voters in Tain and Easter Ross and thanked Louden and Rhind for “taking on a greater workload” as she struggled with her health.
