Tain and Easter Ross Ward have elected their new councillor – despite the lowest turn-out in history.
Independent Councillor Alasdair Rhind was re-elected to the ward by single transferrable vote gaining a total of 1,290.
The newly-elected Councillor was knocked off his post just four months ago by Jamie Stone before regaining his seat in the by-election yesterday. Mr Stone is now at Westminster.
Speaking after the count, newly elected Councillor Rhind said: “I am delighted to be back. This by-election was created with Jamie Stone being made an MP and I am delighted that I got my seat back on the Highland Council. The turnout produced a result for me and I am delighted to be back, to representing Tain and Easter Ross and work with my colleague Fiona Robertson and Derek Louden as we continue to serve the ward and do the best for Tain and Easter Ross.”
The electorate was 7,190 and a total of 2,593 ballots papers were returned, with 29 spoiled ballot papers. The overall turnout from Ward 7 was 36.1 per cent, a poor reflection of the Councillor’s effort in actively getting voters ‘involved in the community’.
Councillor Rhind added: “I’m very disappointed with the low turn-out on the poll today. Only 36 per cent voted and that saddens me. I would have preferred people coming out to vote in their droves, not necessarily for me but for the other candidates. All candidate did well promoting the election so I don’t know how we got such a low turnout today.
The Highland Council is made up of 74 elected members. The new representation is Independent 30; Scottish Conservative and Unionist 10; Scottish Green Party 1; Scottish Labour Party 3; Scottish Liberal Democrats 9; Scottish National Party 21.
