Record turnout expected as polls open

David O'Leary • Published 6 May 2010 16:20 0 Comments

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ALL across the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale constituency voting is reported as being exceedingly high throughout the day.

A total of 74,582 people are registered to vote in the constituency that straddles three local authority regions.

And it's expected that turn-out would exceed the 2005 election level of 67.6 per cent - where a total of 44,616 put their cross on the ballot paper.

Unprecedented campaigning by almost all parties along with high-profile television debates and growing concern for the economy has brought a resurgence in interest for both politics and the election.

Village halls and schools have been a hive of activity all day long.

Conservative David Mundell is defending a 3.9 per cent (1738) majority from the previous election five years ago.

And if the bookmakers are to be believed, he may just hold onto his seat.

Mr Mundell was the 2/13 favourite to return to Westminster with Tweeddale councillor Catriona Bhatia, who stood for the Lib Dems, at 5/1 and Labour's Claudia Beamish at 10/1.

SNP candidate Aileen Orr was available at 33/1 with Green Alis Ballance and the UKIP's Steven McKeane both 70/1 to cause a major upset.

The count team is in place to work through the night at Easterbrook Hall, which is part of the Crichton Campus in Dumfries.

And the result is expected to be announced by Returning Officer Alex Haswell sometime after 3am.

This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 07 May 10

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