Buckhaven, Methil and Wemyss Villages by-election

The Buckhaven, Methil and Wemyss Villages by-election will be held on Thursday 6 November 2025.

The Improvement Service has created a website for prospective candidates with information about the role of a councillor, including what councillors do and what’s expected of a councillor. There are also videos and short stories of councillors from across Scotland detailing why they became a councillor, the difference they make, and their advice if you are thinking of standing.

If you wish to stand as a candidate at this by-election, you will find more information on the nomination process below.

Inclusion Scotland run an Access to Elected Office fund that provides financial assistance to disabled candidates standing for election. It can help with the extra costs you may incur as a result of your disability.

For more information about applying for funding, visit the Inclusion Scotland website.

For information on standing as a candidate, please visit the Electoral Commission’s website, where you will find a range of guidance and resources for candidates and agents.

If you wish to stand for election as a candidate in this by-election, you can download a nomination pack and the Returning Officer's local guidance notes below:

• Nomination pack
• Returning Officer’s local guidance notes

Alternatively, you can contact the Election Office at election.enquiries@fife.gov.uk to request a pack to be sent to you.

The Notice of Election will be published on Monday 29 September 2025. Nominations will be accepted by the Returning Officer between 10am and 4pm on any working day from Tuesday 30 September 2025. Candidates are requested to contact the Election Office to make an appointment for the delivery of nomination papers.

The deadline for submission of nomination papers is 4pm on Monday 6 October 2025.

The Returning Officer will hold a meeting with candidates and agents after the close of nominations on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, at 6 pm to discuss the local arrangements for holding the poll. This meeting will be via Teams and invitations to candidates and agents will be issued after the deadline for receipt of nominations.

Notice will be added here

• Notice of Election
• Notice of Poll and Statement of Persons Nominated
• Notice of Situation of Polling Places and Voters
• Notice of Amendment of Polling Places
• Notice of Election Expenses

The deadline to register to vote for this by-election is midnight on Tuesday, 21 October 2025. You can register online at www.gov.uk/registertovote.

The deadline to apply for a new postal vote or to amend (including amending a postal vote to a proxy vote) or to cancel an existing postal vote is 5pm on Wednesday, 22 October 2025.

Application to vote by post

Postal Votes for this election will be issued on or around Friday, 24 October 2025. If you have lost or not received your postal vote by Friday, 31 October 2025, please contact the Returning Officer for a replacement. By law, the Returning Officer cannot begin to replace postal votes until Friday, 31 October 2025.

If you are likely to be away during the election period, you may want to consider appointing a proxy for this election instead of applying for a postal vote as the Returning Officer cannot guarantee delivery before you go away.

If you would like more information about postal voting, please contact the Electoral Services on 03451 55 55 11, Option 1.

The counting of votes cast will be undertaken electronically on the evening of Thursday, 6 November 2025, commencing at 10pm. The results of the poll will be published after the completion of the count.