Aberdeen City Council by-election: candidates announced

05 October 2020

The candidates in the Aberdeen City Council by-election for the vacant seat in the Kincorth / Nigg / Cove ward have been announced today (Monday 05 October).

The candidates are listed below:

Lisette Bellizzi Houston

Andy Finlayson (Independent)

Moira Henderson (Scottish Liberal Democrats)

Bryce Hope (Scottish Libertarian Party)

Sochima Iroh (Independent)

Simon Paul McLean (Independent)

Miranda Radley (Scottish National Party [SNP])

Shona Simpson (Scottish Labour Party)

Daniel Verhamme (Scottish Green Party)

Christopher Robert Wyles (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)

The by-election, which will be held on Thursday 05 November 2020, follows the resignation of Councillor Stephen Flynn in March this year after he was elected to serve as a Member of Parliament for Aberdeen South in the 2019 general election. The by-election had been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This will be the first election held in Aberdeen during COVID-19 and special measures will be in place at polling stations in line with current restrictions.

Information on the by-election including a special FAQs section for those who plan to vote in person at a polling station, and details on postal votes should voters not wish to vote in-person is available on the council website.

In order to vote at the by-election, voters must live in the Kincorth / Nigg / Cove area, be 16 on or before 5 November and be on the electoral register. Anyone who has not registered must do so by Tuesday 20 October. Visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote to register.

Voters are advised that the deadline for new postal vote applications and changes to existing postal or proxy votes is 5pm on Wednesday 21 October at https://www.grampian-vjb.gov.uk/electoral-register/absent-voting . The deadline for new applications for proxy votes (not postal proxy or emergency proxies) is 5pm on Wednesday 28th October.

Voters already registered as postal voters can expect to receive their postal votes around 13 October. Newly registered postal voters can expect their vote around 29 October.

Postal voters who have not received their postal vote by 30 October should contact the council’s Election Office on 01224 523501 or email elections@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Anyone registered to vote in the Kincorth/ Nigg / Cove by-election who thinks they may not be able to return their postal vote in time for the timescales given should consider changing to a proxy vote as per the above guidelines.

Aberdeen City Council comprises 45 council seats across 13 wards. Kincorth / Nigg / Cove is represented by 4 elected members, with Councillor Sarah Duncan, Councillor Alex Nicoll and Councillor Philip Sellar continuing to serve.