Nominations open for crofting elections

The process of nominating candidates opens today, with Scotland’s 16,000 crofters able to put forward candidates or stand themselves for election to the Crofting Commission’s board as commissioners.

March’s postal election is to elect commissioners from the six crofting constituencies: East Highlands, Orkney and Caithness, Shetland, South West Highlands, West Highlands and Western Isles.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “The Scottish government wants to ensure a strong and vibrant future for crofting. The Crofting Commission is crucial to this, through its work on developing crofting, being an effective regulator and providing a voice for the concerns of crofters.

“It is vital to have a commission made up of people who represent and reflect the interests and diversity of Scotland’s crofting community. To achieve that, we need people with a commitment to ensuring a long-term future for crofting to stand for election or to nominate people they believe have the qualities to be an effective commissioner. It’s also important all crofters make their voices heard by voting in March’s election.”

Commissioners are accountable for the commission’s overall performance and set the commission’s direction and policies on regulatory matters that affect crofters. They also work with other bodies with an interest in crofting.

The commission’s board can have up to nine commissioners. Six are elected by crofters, and the remainder appointed by Scottish ministers. The commission is the only public body in Scotland with a majority of board members elected by the people they serve.

Crofters can get a nomination pack from their local council returning officer.

The deadline for returning nominations is Thursday 26 January and the deadline for returning ballot papers is Thursday 16 March. Results will be announced on 17 March.