Preparations are well underway to ensure North Ayrshire is ready for the European Parliamentary Elections on May 23.

The Notice of Election will be published today (Monday, April 15) by North Ayrshire’s Returning Officer Craig Hatton.

It had previously been unclear if the UK would require to take part in the European Elections while Brexit negotiations were underway. Following last week’s developments, it became clear an election would be required unless the UK reaches an earlier agreement to exit from the European Union.

Along with counterparts across Scotland, the Returning Officer and his team in North Ayrshire have been aware of the potential for these polls for some months and have been preparing behind the scenes.

Mr Hatton said: “We have a good track record at successfully delivering elections at relatively short notice – most recently with the UK Parliamentary General Election in 2017.

“The team has been laying the groundwork for a number of weeks now in the event that we would be required to take part in the European elections, so we are well placed for May 23.”

Following on from the publication of the Notice of Election today, prospective candidates can pick up their nomination packs and must submit them before the deadline on Thursday, April 25.

The deadline to ensure you are registered to vote in the European elections is Tuesday, 7 May.

New postal vote and postal proxy applications, and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes, must be made by 5pm on Wednesday, 8 May.

The deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies) is 5pm on Wednesday, 15 May.

If you haven’t already registered to vote, go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk to find out how to register online.

The European Elections will be held between 7am and 10pm on Thursday, May 23, with the Count being held on Sunday, May 26, and the results announced thereafter.