The majority of the region’s polling stations have been saved – for now.
A number of facilities were facing the axe following the council’s review of polling district and places.
But councillors have agreed to put off making a decision so that further consultation could take place.
The proposal came from the council’s administration, with leader Elaine Murray saying there was “insufficient evidence for the more radical proposals” being presented.
The report suggested scrapping a number of polling stations across the district, including Westerkirk, Ewes, Whamphray, Parkgate, Tundergarth, Kettleholm, Rigg, Creca, Mouswald, Highate, Ae, Tynron and Waterbeck.
Members were concerned about public transport issues, which had been cited as one of the reasons people taking part in the review objected to the changes.
Councillor Iain Howie pointed out that as the council regularly opposed attempts by the Scottish and UK Governments to centralise services, there was a risk of “leaving ourselves open to charges of hypocrisy” if they agreed to merge polling districts.
Elections co-ordinator Mairi Copeland told the meeting that an average of £300 is paid to use a hall as a polling station.
On hearing the actual price paid ranged from £150 to £1,200, Councillor Pauline Drysdale suggested it should be standardised as it was “quite a big difference”.
An additional paper will be presented to members in the new year on any further changes, with the council’s chief executive, Gavin Stevenson, saying there would be a “full consultation after the Scottish Parliament elections”.
