Highland Council says the polling stations are all set for Thursday's by-elections in Inverness and Caithness as the local authority warns it will maintain some Covid restrictions even though they are not legally bound to do so

Arrangements in place at all by-election polling stations for Thursday’s ballots in Inverness and Caithness, according to Highland Council.

Despite Covid restrictions having eased across Scotland, the election process for voters was readied as though it were taking place at a time of stricter rules that were in force for the Holyrood elections earlier this year.

Consequently the ballots in Inverness West and Wick and East Caithness wards on Thursday will take place with measures in place at all polling stations to make the voting experience as smooth as possible.

On Thursday polling stations across Wards 3 and 13 open at 7am and will remain open until 10pm. Upon arrival at a polling station, staff will give voters their ballot paper and assist them with any questions they may have.

Hand sanitiser will be available upon entry and exit and where possible windows and doors within the polling stations will be open as the better ventilated a room is, the safer it will be.

Even though it is no longer legally mandatory, the council will be maintaining social distancing rules and managing the numbers within the polling stations to avoid any potential crowding to keep everyone safe.

Anyone intending to vote on Thursday is advised to check the poll card they would have received in the post as their polling place may have changed since the last election.

People should vote using numbers and rank the candidates in order of choice using 1, 2, 3 and so on with the number 1 in the voting box next to your first choice candidate followed by a 2 in the voting box next to your second choice and so on.

The count for both areas will be conducted on Friday and live streamed on the local authority’s YouTube page and other social media sites.

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