Crofting Commission Election Attracts 29 Candidates

30th January 2012

There will be a contest in five of the six constituencies within the Crofting Commission electoral area.

A total of 28 candidates will contest the five constituencies of:

· Shetland;

· East Highlands (East Sutherland, Easter Ross, East Inverness and Moray);

· Western Isles;

· West Highlands (West Sutherland, Wester Ross, Skye and Lochalsh); and

· South West Highlands (Lochaber, Argyll and Bute, Arran and Cumbrae, Small Isles).

The contested elections will be under the Alternative Vote system and conducted by Postal Ballot and the returned ballot papers will be counted in Inverness, Town House on Friday 16 March 2012.

Ballot papers will be posted to all eligible electors (aged 16 years and over) in each of the five constituencies where there is a contest and must be returned by 4pm on Thursday 15 March 2012, if they are to be included in the counting of votes.

Votes will be counted electronically using scanners. The successful candidate will be the person that receives 50% + 1 of the valid votes cast. If no one passes the 50% mark at the first round, the candidate with the lowest number of votes is eliminated and their votes are transferred to the candidates ranked second on the ballot papers. This process continues until a candidate passes the 50% mark or where there are only two candidates left; the candidate with the highest number of votes wins the contest.

The candidates are:

Shetland - candidates:

1. Peter Dodge, Aith, Cunningsburgh

2. Kathleen Ann Sinclair, Firva, Scousburgh, Shetland

3. David Irvine Smith, The Beadies, Levenwick, Shetland

4. Marjorie Williamson, Blimister, Burra Isle

East Highlands (East Sutherland, Easter Ross, East Inverness and Moray) - candidates:

1. Marina Theresa Dennis, Inchdrein, Nethy Bridge

2. Peter Humpheys, Davidston Croft, Heights of Fodderty, Strathpeffer

3. Donnie Ross, Strone Croft, Leault, Kincraig, Kingussie

4. William Waugh, 3 Bogbain, Tain

Western Isles - candidates:

1. Malcolm MacLeod Macdonald, 7 Tobson, Bernera

2. Roderick MacDonald, 480/1 North Lochboisdale, South Uist

3. Murdo MacLennan, 5 Aignis, Stornoway

4. Neil MacLennan, "Ard Grean", Castlebay, Isle of Barra

5. Donald Macrury, c/o Hanover, 45 Borve, Isle of Lewis

6. Donald Manford, 29 Eoligarry, Isle of Barra

West Highlands (West Sutherland, Wester Ross, Skye and Lochalsh) - candidates:

1. Jonathan James Hedges, Caravan, 219 Rossal, Rogart

2. John Laing, 5 Dunanellerich, Harlosh, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye

3. I.G. Macdonald, Grianan, 1 Lower Ollach, Braes, Portree, Isle of Skye

4. Kenneth J.B.S. MacLeod, 26 Greenwood Gardens, Milton of Leys, Inverness

5. Finlay John Matheson, Arinackaig, Strathcarron, Ross & Cromarty

6. Rodney Martin Minton, 8 Durnamuck, Dundonnell, By Garve, Ross-shire

7. Sandy Murray, Achumore, Forsinard, Sutherland

8. Russell Smith, Drumbhan, Airdens, Bonar Bridge

9. Yvonne White, 8 Kingsburgh, Snizort, Isle of Skye

South West Highlands (Lochaber, Argyll and Bute, Arran and Cumbrae, Small Isles) - candidates:

1. Donald McKechnie Campbell, Machair, Kilmoluaig, Isle of Tiree, Argyll

2. Robin Currie, 10 Burnside, Bruichladdich, Islay, Argyll

3. Michael Ewen MacDonald Foxley, 2 Achaphubuil, By Fort William

4. Colin Niall Kennedy, Highland Corrie, Arinagour, Isle of Coll, Argyll

5. Billy Neilson, 27 Cruachan Cottages, Taynuilt, Argyll

The uncontested constituency covers Orkney and Caithness. The successful candidate is Arnie Pirie, who will be declared elected on the day of the election.