Voters will have received a poll card telling them where to go to cast their vote or they can find their polling place on the Electoral Commission’s website at www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/your-election-information.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 5 May. Staff will be on hand in polling stations to provide any help needed.

The Scottish Council elections use the Single Transferable Vote system. Voters should number their candidates in order of choice, using a 1 for their first choice, a 2 for their second choice, a 3 for the third and so on. You can number as many or as few candidates as you choose.

Des Murray, Returning Officer for North Lanarkshire, said: “Make sure you check the information on your poll card, as your polling place might have changed since the last election.

“You do not need your poll card to vote, but we encourage you to bring it with you to make the process quicker and more efficient.

“Voters who have opted to vote by post must return their postal ballot pack by 10pm; they can hand it in at their polling place if they don’t have time to return it by post.”

Public health measures will be in place at polling places, similar to those in other indoor venues, and voters are asked to wear face coverings and allow 1m distancing to protect themselves and others.

If anyone is self-isolating or becomes unwell as a result of Covid-19, they can apply for an emergency proxy vote up to 5pm on polling day, which allows them to nominate someone they trust to go to their polling place and vote on their behalf. For further information on how to apply for an emergency proxy, go to www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/apply-vote-proxy

For further information on elections in your area, visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter.