A by-election to select a councillor for the Craigentinny/Duddingston ward will be postponed as the city deals with the coronavirus crisis.
The vacancy was created when Councillor Ian Campbell resigned in February.
The Returning Officer for the City of Edinburgh Council, Andrew Kerr, has written to Scottish Ministers and the Convener of the Electoral Management Board for Scotland expressing his intentions to postpone the by-election, which is meant to take place within three months.
Returning Officer for Edinburgh Andrew Kerr said:
These are extraordinary circumstances and we’ve had to make significant changes over recent weeks to adapt to the situation. In order to protect the health of the public, in compliance with national guidance, we will be postponing the Council by-election to fill the Craigentinny/Duddingston vacancy created when Councillor Ian Campbell resigned last month.
Once things return to normal and we have a rescheduled date for the by-election, we’ll be encouraging residents to take part in electing a candidate to this important role.
Under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 it is required that a vacancy is filled within three months of it arising
However, due to the current public health advice around the control of the coronavirus and under the provisions of the Coronovirus Act 2020 it is intended that the filling of the vacancy is postponed until further notice.
Find out more about the Craigentinny/Duddingston ward by-election on the Council website.