Make sure you're ready to have your say on 6 May
There's just over one week left until the Scottish Parliament Election and voters in West Lothian are being urged to get ready to cast their vote.
Polling places will be safe places to vote on 6 May. People voting in person are encouraged to keep themselves and others safe by:
• wearing a face covering
• bringing their own pen or pencil
• cleaning their hands when entering and leaving the polling station
• keeping a safe distance
Voters should not attend the polling station if they have symptoms of Covid-19, or if they have been asked to self-isolate. Anyone who develops symptoms, or is asked to self-isolate shortly before polling day, has up to 5pm on polling day to apply for an emergency proxy vote. This allows them to nominate someone they trust to vote on their behalf.
Graham Hope, Returning Officer for West Lothian, said:
"Your poll card will tell you where to find your polling place. Make sure you check the information on your polling card, as your polling place might have changed since the last elections. You do not need your poll card to vote, however, we encourage you to bring it with you to make the process quicker and more efficient.
"Polling places will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 6 May. Voters who have opted to vote by post must return their postal ballot pack by 10pm; they can hand it in at their polling place if they don't have time to return it by post."
Andy O'Neill, Head of the Electoral Commission in Scotland, said:
"If you are voting in person, make sure you remember to bring your face covering and a pen or pencil with you. At the polling place, help keep yourself and others safe by following the safety measures, including sanitising your hands and keeping a safe distance from others.
"If you are self-isolating or become unwell as a result of Covid-19, you don't need to lose your vote. You will be able to apply for an emergency proxy vote so that someone you trust can vote on your behalf."
For further information on the election including details on how to apply for an emergency proxy vote please visit the West Lothian Council website at: https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/scottish-parliament-election-2021
