Scottish Local Government Elections: Thursday 5 May 2022
The Scottish Local Government Elections will be held on Thursday 5 May 2022.
As a result of the Boundaries Scotland 2019 Review of Electoral Arrangements for the North Ayrshire Council area, changes will be made to the Council Ward boundaries in North Ayrshire from 5 May 2022. The new Ward Boundary maps can be found here.
On Thursday 5 May 2022 voters in North Ayrshire will be asked to vote to elect Councillors for each Ward as follows:-
|
Ward Number
|
Ward Name
|
Number of Councillors to be returned
|
|
1
|
North Coast
|
5
|
|
2
|
Garnock Valley
|
5
|
|
3
|
Ardrossan
|
3
|
|
4
|
Arran
|
1
|
|
5
|
Saltcoats and Stevenston
|
5
|
|
6
|
Kilwinning
|
4
|
|
7
|
Irvine West
|
4
|
|
8
|
Irvine East
|
3
|
|
9
|
Irvine South
|
3
|
|
|
Total
|
33
|
The Returning Officer for the Elections is Craig Hatton (the Council’s Chief Executive) who has a small team who deals with the administration and organisation of the poll including the staffing of polling stations. This team also deals with the organisation of the verification and counting of votes at the count.
Prospective Candidates and Agents
The Electoral Commission has produced guidance to assist Candidates and Agents which can be found on their website.
This guidance covers:
Part 1 - Can you stand for elections?
Part 2a - Standing as an Independent Candidate
Part 2b - Standing as a Party Candidate
Part 3 - Spending and Donations
Part 4 - The Campaign
Part 5 - Your right to attend key events
Part 6 - After the declaration of results
Supporting resources such as nomination forms, forms for the appointment of agents etc are also available from the Electoral Commission's website. However, please note that a North Ayrshire specific nomination pack together with information for Candidates and Agents will be available to download soon. [coming soon]
Being a councillor involves a huge variety of work, some of which can be challenging, but is almost always hugely rewarding as you can make a real difference to individuals lives and to the area you represent. If you are considering standing for election, the Improvement Service has created a resource to help you understand the many different aspects of a councillor's role. This can be viewed here.
Key Dates
The key dates for the Elections, particularly the closing dates for registration, postal and proxy applications are detailed in the timetable here.
The Requirements of Secrecy for these elections can be viewed here,
Formal Notices
The formal election notices will be displayed here throughout the election process. [coming soon]
Poll Cards
The first issue of Poll Cards is due on 15/16 March 2022. Subsequent issue dates to be confirmed.
Electors are encouraged to check their poll card carefully. There may have been a change to your Polling Station since the last elections.
Applications to Register to Vote
If you want to vote in the Scottish Local Government Elections you need to be registered to vote. The way we register to vote has changed. People now register as individuals using a new, more secure system.
The last day you can register to vote in these Elections is Monday 18 April 2022.
You can register to vote online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or if you would prefer to register by post then you should contact the Electoral Registration Officer (for Ayrshire), as detailed below, and a paper form will be posted out to you.
If you will be 16 or over by 5 May 2022 you'll be able to vote at the 2022 Scottish Local Government Elections. In order to vote you must be registered.
Applications to vote by Post or Proxy
If you are not able to go to your polling place in person you may wish to apply for a postal or proxy vote. Application forms for a postal or proxy vote can be obtained by contacting the Electoral Registration Officer (for Ayrshire), or by downloading the forms here. Only electors who are (or will be) registered individually are entitled to apply to vote by post or proxy. Further information for voters is available from the Electoral Commission website here.
Contact details for the Electoral Registration Officer (for Ayrshire) are detailed below:-
Electoral Registration Officer (for Ayrshire)
9 Wellington Square
AYR
KA7 1HL
Tel: (01292) 612221
Email: ero@ayrshire-vjb.gov.uk
Web: www.ayrshire-vjb.gov.uk
The deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications in these Elections is 5.00pm on Tuesday 19 April 2022.
The deadline for new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies) is 5.00pm on Tuesday 26 April 2022.
All registration, postal or proxy forms must be returned to the Electoral Registration Officer (for Ayrshire), 9 Wellington Square, Ayr, KA7 1HL and not to the Council.
The first issue of ballot papers to Postal Voters will take place on 14 April 2022. There will be 2 subsequent issues on 19 April and 26 April 2022.
The eCount
The electronic verification and counting of votes will take place in The Portal, High Street, Irvine on Friday 6 May 2022 commencing at 9.00 a.m. prompt.
Admission to the eCount will be strictly by accredited admission pass only.
Results
Results from the Scottish Local Government Elections will be published on the Council’s website following the eCount on 6 May 2022. A link to previous election results can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please click here to see some of our frequently asked questions. [coming soon]
Further Information
For further information please contact the Council’s Election Office on 01294 324710 or by email to elections@north-ayrshire.gov.uk