by Dan Hughes
Rural Polling stations face abandonment
In September this year, we saw citizens living in rural areas given the chance to vote in the Scottish referendum thanks to the trusty caravan. Makeshift caravan polling stations provided an integral role in enabling those living further afield to vote, providing people with the chance to vote who would not usually have been able to make it to their nearest main polling station due to logistical reasons.
Now, owing to an unfortunate decision from members of Highland Council’s Community Safety, Public Engagement and Equalities committee, many of these polling stations are set to be removed. The committee has found that one particular caravan at Coulags near Locharron does not meet any access requirements and therefore will no longer be used.
Despite some caravans being in use for nearly 30 years for the purpose of voting, elections manager at Highland Council, John Bruce, told the committee that staff during a recent by-election had been forced to sit with hot water bottles due to the low temperatures.
Voters will now have to travel much further afield and utilise the polling stations in Lochcarron Hall, or alternatively resort to postal voting.
The change has come following the council’s decision to review polling districts and polling places in the highland council area and in line with the Electoral Registration and Administration Act 2013 which began in November last year.
At least 13 other polling stations are coming under approval for removal. The main reasons being considered for closure of stations are mainly linked to lighting, heating and lack of access for the disabled.
On top of this, the council is considering the push for postal voting to become the default voting system used within rural Scotland. Would you rather send a postal vote, or walk in to a polling centre? Let us know what you think.
