This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scotland football boss to lead 'Team Scotland'
01/12/2006
Scotland football team manager Walter Smith has called on people to play their part in the Scottish Parliamentary and local government elections on 3rd May 2007.
He kicked off the registration drive by urging people to get behind 'Team Scotland' by registering to vote so they have the chance to influence what matters to them.
Mr Smith gave his support to the new VoteScotland campaign, a joint public information programme by the Electoral Commission and the Scottish Executive, which aims to encourage people to register, to explain the voting systems and to inspire and motivate them to vote on 3rd May.
On the day the yearly electoral registers are published, he said:
"Voting gives people across the country a chance to play their part in shaping Scotland's future and have a say on matters which affect their everyday lives - and to do this, you must be registered.
"I'm excited to head up Team Scotland. Whilst making tough decisions is part of my everyday life, registering to vote and ensuring I make my vote count on 3rd May has been an easy choice to make.
"Next May's elections might seem like a long way off but I would encourage everyone to line up behind 'Team Scotland' by taking a couple of minutes out of their day to register now."
Between September and November of this year, every home in Scotland will have received a registration form in the post which should have been completed by a member of the household and returned.
However, for those not already registered it is not too late. Householders can complete and return their forms before the final whistle on April 18th, 2007. To register, contact the local electoral registration office or visit www.aboutmyvote.co.uk to download a registration form.
Andy O'Neill, Head of Office, The Electoral Commission Scotland, said: "Unless you are registered to vote, you will lose your right to have your say at the ballot box on May 3rd.
"I would urge everyone who is eligible to vote to join 'Team Scotland' by ensuring they are registered to vote."
Mr Smith was joined by a cross section of eligible voters as he unveiled the 'Team Scotland' concept.
Among them, was Colin Lee, 41, from Glasgow, who said: "The elections next May are important for ethnic minority people to have a say on what kind of Scotland they want to see for the future. I'll be making sure I cast my vote next May."
Scotland goes to the polls on 3rd May, 2007 to elect MSPs and councillors in combined elections for the Scottish Parliament and local government.
· For the first time, the single transferable vote (STV) will be used for local government elections. Voters will be asked to mark numbers (1, 2, 3, 4 and so on) against the candidates' names in order of choice. You can vote for as few or as many as you like. This will introduce new multi-member wards with either three or four councilors.
· The Scottish Parliament elections will involve a mix of first past the post and party list through the Additional Members System (AMS). This requires the voter to mark a cross (X) in the box next to the constituency candidate of their choice and a cross (X) in the box next to the party list or individual candidate of their choice in the regional list.