Ellon prepares to take to the polls

This Thursday, October 15, will see voters in the Ellon and District ward take to the polls to elect a new local councillor.

Following Richard Thomson's election as MP his role as councillor for the Ellon and District ward opened up, and with restrictions lifting it is now deemed safe for the community to choose their new representative.

Aberdeenshire Council have pinpointed polling stations which offer as much opportunity for safe distancing as possible, and the six polling stations for this election will be: Arnage School, Auchterellon Primary School, Meiklemill Primary School, Collieston Community Education Centre, Ellon Primary School and Newburgh Mathers School.

Those attending one of these six polling stations will find that things will largely run as normal, with just a few changes to keep everybody as safe as possible.

A one way system will be in place within the buildings, and voters will be asked to maintain social distancing; there will be a limit to the number of people allowed inside the buildings at any time to ensure sufficient distancing is possible however marshalls will be on hand to keep visitors right and help keep everything running as smoothly as possible.

Face coverings should be worn inside, and hand sanitiser will be available.

Screens have been erected at registration stations, and extra pencils have been brought in to ensure that they will all be single use as opposed to cleaning each pencil between voters.

Voting booths will be sanitised regularly during the opening hours of 7am and 10pm.

Those vying for the position are John Bennett, John Crawley, Peter Kennedy, Trevor Mason and Louise McAllister.

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