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Plane chartered, ferry on stand-by for independence ballot   14/9/14

 

A high turn-out on September 18 is anticipated by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar as islanders go to the polls to vote on the country’s independence.

 

Plans are in place to ensure a smooth vote with a plane chartered by the Comhairle to bring ballot boxes to Stornoway from the Uists and Barra.

 

The charter will cost less than £10,000 – however the funds will be reimbursed by the government ,a council spokesman said.

 

The Western Isles ballot count is to begin at 10pm on September 18 if all goes to plan, with results announced in the early hours of September 19.

 

However, if the chartered plane cannot fly for any reason, contingency plans are in place with a ferry kept on standby though the count would then be delayed until all votes are counted.

 

At one point, the council was considering holding a ballot count in Benbecula for the votes cast in Uist and Barra. However, it was later decided to go for a single count in Stornoway.