The election resulted in a previously independent council becoming an independent/Conservative coalition, with a majority of four. The use of STV electoral system benefited the SNP and the Conservatives, with them gaining 6 and 2 seats respectively. It did not benefit Labour at all, which fell from second place in terms of seats to last. In addition, the Liberal Democrats lost their sole representative on the council
The previous election in 2003 were the last to use the first-past-the-post voting system. At that election, independent won 16 seats - more than all the other groups combined.
There were 3 by-elections in the 2003-07 term. One by-election was held in the Buckie West ward and was an Independent hold. The other two by-elections were held in the Speyside ward, one resulted in a SNP gain from Independent, and the other resulted in an Independent gain from SNP. As such the composition of the council did not change between 2003 and 2007.
Note: "Votes" are the first preference votes. The net gain/loss and percentage changes relate to the result of the previous Scottish local elections on 1 May 2003. This may differ from other published sources showing gain/loss relative to seats held at dissolution of Scotland's councils.
As no single political grouping on the council had enough seats to form a majority administration, the independent and Conservative groupings together formed a coalition.
Elgin City South by-election
On 14 February 2008, a by-election was held in the Elgin City South ward after the death of independent councillor Alistair Bisset. It was won by the SNP candidate John Sharp.
On 11 November 2010, a by-election was held in the Forres ward after the retirement of Conservative councillor Iain Young. It was won by independent candidate Lorna Creswell.
