Today’s your chance to vote in the European Elections 2014

Voters can help decide who will represent Scotland in the European Parliament. The Edinburgh Reporter was invited along to the old Royal High School on Regent Road where the boxes of election papers were being delivered out to all polling stations ahead of today’s election.  From there they go to Meadowbank to be counted and the results will be declared for the Scottish MEPs on Monday 26 May 2014.

Postal voters who have not yet filled out and sent their postal packs are also being advised that they can still cast their vote by bringing postal ballot papers to their local polling place.

Of the 65, 863 postal packs sent out to Edinburgh residents more than 23,000 still remain to be returned, though these voters need not lose out on their opportunity to take part.

Those planning to cast a vote in person should check their polling card for their local polling place as some addresses have changed since last election. They can also find maps on the Council website.

All polling places will be open from 7am to 10pm today.

Council Chief Executive and Returning Officer, Sue Bruce, has encouraged voters not to miss out.

She said: “This is an opportunity for Edinburgh’s residents to have an input into how we are represented in the European Parliament, which makes decisions that influence our everyday lives.

“I would encourage everyone who is registered to vote to do so, and make their voice heard on 22 May.”

Voting in the European Parliamentary Elections allows citizens to return six members of the European Parliament to the Electoral Region of Scotland.

The European Parliament is currently made up of 766 members from 28 EU member countries, and has powers in areas including animal rights, the environment and workers’ rights.

A list of the Scottish candidates and their parties is available on the City of Edinburgh Council website.

Details of Edinburgh’s polling places and how to vote can also be found on the Council’s website.

Further information on the European Elections is available on Lothian Valuation Joint Board’s website(external link) and European Parliament Information Office in the United Kingdom’s website(external link).

The declarations as to who has been elected to represent Scotland in Brussels will be made on Monday 26 May 2014.