Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is reminding crofters that today is the last chance for people to put their names forward for the upcoming Crofting Commission elections.
One commissioner is to be elected from the Western Isles area.
There are around 16,000 crofters in Scotland, and 33,000 people living in crofting households. The average age for crofters is 59, but 12% are under 40. Some 34% are female.
More than 80% of crofts are in the Highlands and Eilean Siar (Western Isles). The remainder are on Shetland, Orkney Islands and Argyll and Bute. Crofts account for about a quarter of land area in the highlands and islands.
A public consultation on the regulations for the election took place from 18 March to 22 June 2016. These covered: the process of appointing a new Commissioner, should a vacancy arise before 2022; who can stand for election; absent and proxy votes; and the maximum amount and process for election expenses.
Commissioners work four and a half days per month and currently receive a daily rate of £161.29. Expenses are paid for travel.
Deadline for Crofting Commission elections
26 January 2017