Renfrewshire reissues 265 postal votes

265 residents in Renfrewshire have been reissued with postal voting papers for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary election after a printing error was discovered on the reverse of the peach coloured Regional List Ballot Paper.

The issue does not affect any of the other 30,124 postal votes issued in the three constituencies in Renfrewshire.

New ballot papers are being delivered today (Wednesday April 27) to all 265 residents involved – just a day after the incorrect papers first arrived by post.

Voters have been reassured that even if they have already returned the ineligible voting paper, the correct replacement ballot paper would count for their vote instead.

All of the 265 residents live in the Renfrewshire North and West constituency.

The postal votes for that group of people were printed in the final run of postal ballot papers being issued to people who applied for postal votes.

The backs of those Regional Ballot papers were inadvertently printed with the same details for the constituency of Renfrewshire North and West rather than referring to the West Scotland Region.

Sandra Black, Regional Returning Officer, said:  “We apologise for any inconvenience caused but the problem has been identified and is being quickly resolved.

“We would also like to thank the residents who took the time to contact us and point out something was wrong.  

“This is a specific problem linked to the last batch of postal votes that was printed and involves only that group of 265 people.  Everyone involved has been written to and also given a number they can call if they have any further enquiries.

“We are doing everything possible to give people all the information and reassurance that they are entitled to and we can confirm that every one of them will have the chance to make their democratic choice.”