Fife By-Election

It's the final weekend of campaigning ahead of a crunch by-election in Fife.

Residents in Glenrothes West and Kinglassie will vote for a new Councillor on Thursday.

It follows the death of Councillor Betty Campbell earlier this year.

Linda Bissett, depute returning officer, said: “For those who have registered to vote you’ll be able to elect a new councillor for your ward. To make sure your vote is counted in this by-election you will need to vote using numbers, marking the candidates in order of choice using 1, 2, 3 and so on. You can make as many choices as you wish and you don’t have to put a number against every candidate. As long as you put the number “1” against the name of one candidate, your vote will be counted.”

Polling places in the ward will be open from 7am to 10pm and as part of a continuing pilot, this also means that schools being used as polling places will be open to staff and pupils as normal.

Linda explains: “Over the past few years we’ve made significant efforts to reduce the number of schools we use as polling places. We’ve also had a lot of feedback from headteachers, who are keen to keep schools open. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible. Polling places have to be accessible, of a suitable size and conveniently located for the voters, and in some areas we just don’t have any suitable alternative venues.

“However, I’m pleased to say that for the Glenrothes West and Kinglassie by-election, the four schools we’re using as polling places – South Parks, Rimbleton, Newcastle and Southwood primary schools – will be open as usual, with the exception of P1s at Southwood, allowing 1,000 pupils to be in school that day.

“You may have to use a different door to get in to your polling place but there will be plenty of signs to show you where to go.”

Victoria Dolatowska, Headteacher at Southwood Primary School, said: “We’re delighted that our school will be open as normal. It’s great news for pupils and parents – pupils won’t miss any classes and parents won’t have to worry about finding alternative childcare for the day. It also means that any pupils entitled to a free school meal will still get their lunch.”