RESIDENTS across Barrhead and East Renfrewshire are being urged to check their polling cards so they know where to cast their votes in next week’s council elections.

The plea has been issued by the council’s chief returning officer Lorraine McMillan, who has stressed that ward boundaries have changed and people may find their polling station is not in the same place as when they last voted.

Ms McMillan said: “Please take a minute to check your polling card so you know where to cast your vote on May 4.

“There will be signs outside polling stations on the day but, to avoid a wasted journey, please double check before you head off to vote.

“You don’t require your poll card to vote, as long as you have registered to vote. If you haven’t received your card and are unsure if you have registered, you can check with the Electoral Registration Officer at 0300 300 0150.”

People who are entitled to vote but are not sure where to go are advised to call East Renfrewshire’s election office on 0141 577 3033, where staff will be able to direct them to the correct polling place.

The Scottish council elections use the single transferable vote system, which means people vote by using numbers.

Each ballot paper lists all of the candidates standing to be councillors in that particular ward.

Voters will be asked to number the candidates in order of their choice – putting number 1 in the voting box next to their first choice, number 2 in the voting box next to their second choice, number 3 in the voting box next to their third choice and so on.

Although each of the candidates is listed, voters don’t have to place a number beside every candidate.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on May 4 and people can only vote at the polling station that is stated on their own poll card.

Postal votes must be returned by 10pm on May 4, via mail or by handing them in at any East Renfrewshire polling station.