Ballot papers for postal voters in Aberdeenshire will be arriving through letterboxes over the next few days ahead of the local government elections on May 3.

Over 32,000 postal votes have been issued in the area and officials are asking voters to take care when filling in their form as historically a number of postal votes have been rejected.

Returning officer for Aberdeenshire Council, Colin Mackenzie, said: “When you receive your postal voting pack, make sure you read and follow the instructions carefully before completing your ballot paper.

“Don’t forget to include your date of birth and signature on the postal voting statement.

“This statement is kept separate from your ballot paper so your vote is always secret. Follow the instructions in the pack to make sure your vote counts.”

Andy O’Neill, head of the Scotland Office at the Electoral Commission, the independent elections watchdog, has also advised voters to make sure they return their ballot papers promptly.

“Postal ballot papers must be received by the Returning Officer by 10pm on May 3 at the latest,” he said.

“So, as soon as you have completed your ballot paper and postal vote statement place them in the envelope provided and return it to make sure that it is received in good time.”

More information on filling out your ballot paper correctly can be foundonline.

More About Local elections 2012

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• SNP fury as Labour and Tories strike coalition deal to run Stirling Council
• Voters go to the polls a week late to elect final three councillors
• Councils in Lothians strike deals after days of negotiations
• Councils across Scotland starting to take shape after days of negotiations
• Negotiations across the Lothians in the wake of local government elections