Two new Aberdeen councillors will be named today after residents cast their votes in city by-elections yesterday.
The results of the contests in the Kincorth-Nigg-Cove and Hilton-Woodside-Stockethill wards are due to be announced at the Beach Ballroom this morning.
The by-elections were triggered by resignations of former SNP councillors Kirsty Blackman and Callum McCaig, who became the new MPs for Aberdeen North and South in May.
Turn-out was reportedly low at polling stations across the two wards yesterday, although many residents will have opted to vote by post.
A further two by-elections for the local authority are expected to be held in the George Street-Harbour and Midstocket-Rosemount wards on October 1.
The Press and Journal revealed in June that Fraser Forsyth, a former Conservative group leader who has been non-party aligned for more than a year, was quitting after re-locating his family to York.
He handed his notice in yesterday, paving the way for a by-election on the same day as one that is arranged to find a replacement for the SNP’s Andy May, who is retiring.
A local authority spokesman said: “We can confirm that Councillor Forsyth has written to the chief executive today confirming his resignation from the council.”
Mr Forsyth said: “I leave with lots of happy memories and admiration for councillors from all parties who I know want the very best for Aberdeen, they just disagree on the best way to deliver it.
“I’m going to concentrate on being a dad and granddad.”
Councillor Ross Thomson, the current Tory group leader, described Mr Forsyth on social media as “a good friend and colleague”, adding: “I wish him all the very best in his new life in York”.
A total of 10 candidates contested the two by-elections yesterday.
Labour and the SNP dominated the voting in both wards at the last council elections in 2012.
In the formerly-named Hilton and Stockethill seat, Labour’s George Adam topped the first preference votes, followed by SNP candidates in second and third.
The previously-titled Kincorth and Loirston ward was won by Nationalist Mr McCaig, with Labour’s Neil Cooney not far behind, and independent Andy Finlayson in third.
The SNP’s opponents admitted privately yesterday that the Nationalists were the favourites in both by-elections, with the party having scored a stunning victory at the Westminster election in May, and continuing to ride high on the polls.