Nominations open for Leaderdale and Melrose by-election

Councillor Kevin Drum, who was elected in 2018 and sadly died last year.

This will be the first time voters will go to the polls in the region during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Prospective candidates will have to register their interest by 4pm on Monday, February 8.

The by-election is taking place following the death of popular councillor Kevin Drum, who passed away last March after a short illness.

One candidate will be elected using the single transferable vote system, with the poll taking place on Thursday, March 11, between 7am and 10pm. All eligible electors aged 16 or over can vote in this by-election.

The electoral registration officer will be issuing a communication to each household, setting out the names of those eligible electors currently shown on the register of electors.

If you’re not on the register of electors you can’t vote, so if you wish to vote, you need to ensure you are registered by midnight on Tuesday, February 23 by visiting www.gov.uk/register-to-vote to register online.

To vote by post you need to apply by 5pm on Wednesday, February 24.

Polling stations will be open as normal, however a range of measures will be in place to ensure that those who wish to vote in person can do so as safely as possible, including adherence to social-distancing guidelines and the wearing of face coverings.

Returning Officer Rob Dickson said: “This is the first occasion during the coronavirus pandemic that voters will have gone to the polls in the Borders.

“I want to reassure our residents who are casting their ballot in person that every possible precaution will be taken by election staff to make polling stations as safe as possible. This includes following guidance from the Electoral Commission and the Electoral Management Board for Scotland.

“Residents can, of course, take advantage of the postal vote option if they are unable to or do not wish to attend in person.”

Details on how to register for a postal vote can be found here.

An electronic count of votes cast will take place at Volunteer Hall, Galashiels on Friday, March 12.