Two candidates for Stromness and South Isles by-election

Two candidates have put themselves forward for the vacant seat in the Stromness and South Isles by-election.

Voters will go to the polls on Thursday 28 March, with the names on the ballot paper being Janette Park and Magnus Thomson.  

As it is a local council election, voters will number the candidates in order of preference - or just place a 1 next to the only candidate they wish to vote for.  

Polls will open at 7:00am and close at 10:00pm. 

Voters can either cast their vote in person at polling stations at the Stromness Warehouse Buildings or the One Stop Shop in Kirkwall, or they can apply for a postal or proxy vote.  

Polling cards will begin arriving this week.  

The seat is vacant following the retirement of James Stockan, who announced his intention to step down last month.  

Orkney Islands Council’s Chief Executive, Oliver Reid, is Returning Officer for the election. He said: “The work of Orkney Islands Council is intrinsically linked with our local community and therefore it is incredibly important that voters take the opportunity to have their say in who represents them in the Council chamber.  

“I commend the candidates for putting themselves forward – it’s a daunting undertaking – and I’d urge voters to get out and show the candidates their support.“ 

The counting of votes will take place in the Council Chamber in Kirkwall after the close of poll with a result expected in the early hours of Friday morning.  

Those intending to vote are encouraged to check they are registered by midnight on Tuesday 12 March.  The deadline to apply for new postal vote applications and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes is 5.00pm on Wednesday 13 March.  The deadline to apply for a new proxy vote is Wednesday 20 March at 5.00pm, with emergency proxy votes available up to 5:00pm on polling day.