A by-election will be held on Thursday to find a new councillor for the Ellon and District ward in Aberdeenshire, with new measures in place to ensure polling places are as safe as possible for voters.
The council seat has been vacant since the resignation of former SNP councillor Richard Thomson, who was last year elected as the SNP MP for the Gordon constituency.
Polls will open at 7am tomorrow and close at 10pm, with the result announced on Friday.
Eligible residents can cast their votes at Arnage School, Auchterellon Primary, Meiklemill Primary, Ellon Primary, Newburgh Mathers School and the Collieston Community Education Centre.
The candidates are John Bennett for the Scottish Labour Party, John Crawley of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist party, Peter Alexander for the Scottish Green Party, Trevor Mason of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, and Louise McAllister for the Scottish National Party.
Physical distancing will be enforced, along with the encouragement of mask-wearing.
Hand sanitising stations will also be available on entry and exit to all polling stations, as well as within the voting areas.
Plastic screens will be put on tables between election staff and voters and disposable pencils will be present when voting to limit the potential for the spread of the virus.
Aberdeenshire Council’s returning officer and chief executive, Jim Savege, said: “Clearly, you should not attend a polling place if you have Covid-19 symptoms or if you have been in contact with anyone with coronavirus.
“Voters can apply for an emergency proxy ballot ensuring that their democratic voice is heard.”
