The candidates standing in the upcoming Southside/Newington (Ward 15) and Portobello/Craigmillar (Ward 17) by-elections have been announced today (31 July).
23 candidates will stand in these by-elections, which will elect one new councillor per ward, on Thursday 3 September 2026.
The candidates standing for election in the Southside/Newington ward are:
- Ruth Elliot: SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY
- Derrick Emms: EDINBURGH & EAST LOTHIAN PEOPLE
- Isabella Gastel Alejandre: SCOTTISH GREENS
- Roisin Keirdashian: INDEPENDENT
- Artie Khovanov: SCOTTISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
- Nick Layden: SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE AND UNIONIST
- Richard Crewe Lucas: SCOTTISH FAMILY PARTY – CHRISTIAN VALUES
- Sam Alexander Mackenzie: SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY (SNP)
- Sean McGregor Moffat: ALLIANCE FOR DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM
- Gary Neill: REFORM UK
- Markham Rowbotham: EDINBURGH & EAST LOTHIAN PEOPLE
- Richard Shillcock: COMMUNIST PARTY OF BRITAIN
- Marc Wilkinson: EDINBURGH & EAST LOTHIAN PEOPLE
The candidates standing for election in the Portobello/Craigmillar ward are:
- David Craig Ballantine: ALLIANCE FOR DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM
- Niel Deepnarain: SCOTTISH FAMILY PARTY – CHRISTIAN VALUES
- Pete Gregson: WORKERS PARTY OF BRITIAN
- Lorenzo Martinico: SCOTTISH GREENS
- Silas McGilvray: SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY (SNP)
- Andrew McLaughlin: REFORM UK
- Peter Olech: COMMUNIST PARTY OF BRITAIN
- Liss Owen: SCOTTISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
- Jim Patrick Wyke: SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY
- Haris Young: SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE AND UNIONIST
The final candidate lists and further information are also available on the Council website.
Returning Officer for the City of Edinburgh, Paul Lawrence said:
With nominations now closed and just over a month to go until polling day, residents in these wards can start thinking about who they will vote for.
Councillors play a key role in our democratic system, making crucial decisions that impact our city.
I’d encourage everyone who is eligible to register to vote in plenty of time, and then make their voices heard in September.
Poll cards will be delivered to registered voters in the area from today, with further information on when and where to vote.
If you live in these wards, the deadline to register to vote in these by-elections is 18 August. For new postal vote applications, it’s 19 August and for new proxy votes it’s 26 August. Find out more about registering to vote on the Council website.
The election will use the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, where voters rank candidates in order of preference, rather than using a single cross. Voters can rank as many or as few candidates as they like.
Polling places will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 3 September.
Please check your polling place as this may have changed since the last time you voted. If you bring your polling card to vote this will help us and speed up the process, but this isn’t mandatory.
Polling Places (Ward 15):
- Nelson Hall Community Centre (New for 2026)
- Blackford and Grange Parish Church Centre
- St. Catherine's Argyle Church
- Newington Trinity Church
- Reid Memorial Church Hall
- 75th Braid Scouts' Millar Hall
- Cameron House Community Education Centre
Polling Places (Ward 17):
- Portobello Library (New for 2026)
- Branch Out Together
- St Mark’s Episcopal Church (New for 2026)
- Bingham Community Centre
- St Martins Parish Church
- Craigmillar Library
- Hays Business Centre
- Newcraighall Leith Victoria FC
The electronic count will take place at Waverley Court, starting at the close of poll at 10pm on September 3.