NOMINATIONS are now open for candidates for the Crofting Commission elections in March. All of Scotland’s 16,000 crofters are able to put forward candidates or stand themselves for election to the Commission’s board.

The postal election will select commissioners to represent the six crofting constituencies – East Highlands, Orkney and Caithness, Shetland, South West Highlands, West Highlands and Western Isles.

Cabinet Secretary for rural economy Fergus Ewing said: “The Scottish Government wants to ensure a strong and vibrant future for crofting. The Crofting Commission is crucial to this, through its work on developing crofting, being an effective regulator and providing a voice for the concerns of crofters.

“It is vital to have a Commission made up of people who represent and reflect the interests and diversity of Scotland’s crofting community. To achieve that, we need people with a commitment to ensuring a long term future for crofting to stand for election or to nominate people they believe have the qualities to be an effective commissioner. It’s also important all crofters make their voices heard by voting in March’s election.”

NFUS Crofting Highlands and Islands committee chairman Sandy Murray commented: “This is an important time for the Crofting Commission and the elections provide the ideal opportunity for crofters to get involved and help to secure a thriving crofting sector for generations.

“The union encourages anyone with an active interest and enthusiasm for crofting, to put themselves forward to help to shape the policy and regulations of Scotland’s crofting sector. We would also encourage crofters to make sure they vote in the elections in March to elect the commissioners from the six crofting constituencies.”

The Commission’s board can have up to nine commissioners. Six are elected by crofters, and the remainder appointed by Scottish Ministers. The Commission is the only public body in Scotland with a majority of board members elected by the people they serve.

Crofters can get a nomination pack from their local council returning officer. The deadline for returning nominations is Thursday, January 26 and the deadline for returning ballot papers is Thursday, March 16. Results will be announced on March 17.