Voters Urged To Have Their Say As General Election Approaches

Edinburgh’s Returning Officer has urged residents to have their say on 12 December, with less than a week to go until the UK Parliamentary Election.

In the Capital, 362, 956 people are currently registered to vote following the registration deadline on 26 November, with around 20,000 residents registering since the notice of election on 8 November.

Of the total electorate, 72,664 have registered for postal votes and, as of 5 December, 46% of these have been returned. However, papers will not be counted until after 10pm on 12 December.

Andrew Kerr, Returning Officer for Edinburgh, said: "As ever, the festive season has come around before we know it - as has the General Election, which is less than one week away. And just like planning for Christmas Day it's essential that everyone prepares for 12 December by making sure they know how, where and when to vote.

"Taking part in the democratic process is extremely important and I would also encourage everyone voting by post to make sure they check their postal votes carefully and return them in plenty of time to have their say."

In the last UK Parliamentary Election in June 2017, the total electorate in Edinburgh was 352,600, with 250,492 votes cast – a turnout of 71%.

Anyone voting by post should make sure that they post their vote as soon as possible.

To vote in the UK Parliamentary Elections on 12 December, voters must be aged 18 or over and either a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen.

Find out more about where, when and how to vote.