FULL results from the upcoming Scottish Parliament election may take days to be announced after a decision was made not to count votes overnight.
The counting of ballots usually begins when polls close at 10pm, with this year’s vote set to take place on Thursday May 6 – subject to any coronavirus restrictions which may be in place at the time.
But local authority areas will not begin the process of counting until between 9am and 10am the next day, following a decision from Malcolm Burr, convener of the Electoral Management Board (EMB) for Scotland.
The direction was issued by Burr, also chief executive of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council), earlier this month to returning officers and electoral registration officers.
A spokesman for the West Lothian returning officer said the counting process may now “continue into the following day or days”.
In the direction, Burr states: “Returning officers must ensure that the first ballot boxes are opened no earlier than 9am and no later than 10am on Friday 7 May 2021, to allow the verification and counting of constituency and regional ballots in their constituencies.
“For the avoidance of doubt, there is to be no overnight counting of votes.
“For local government elections in Scotland, a ‘next day count’ is well-accepted procedure and is acknowledged to allow a greater level of resilience within election teams.
“The direction formalises the position that there will be no overnight count, but ensures there will be no undue delay, with all counts under way by 10am.”
READ MORE: George Kerevan: The Holyrood election is not only about our independence
Burr said reasons for the decision include expectation that the counting process “will take significantly longer than in previous Scottish Parliament elections”, with venues “subject to enhanced hygiene and capacity limits… most appropriately managed during daytime hours”.
It is also hoped the move “will significantly reduce the mingling of count and polling staff”, Burr said.
Nearly half of Scotland’s local authorities have now confirmed plans to start counts on Friday morning, including Argyll and Bute, East Lothian, Highland, Falkirk, Midlothian, Moray, North Ayrshire, Orkney, Renfrewshire, Scottish Borders, South Ayrshire, West Lothian and the Western Isles.
A spokeswoman for East Lothian said their count time is still to be agreed but it will follow the EMB direction, with early indications that postal votes may account for around 40% of the electorate.
A spokesman for West Lothian also highlighted the “direction acknowledges the counting process will take significantly longer than in previous Scottish Parliament elections”, adding: “It may have to continue into the following day or days.”
READ MORE: Concerns remain as postal voting set for record rise in Holyrood elections
Numerous other councils are understood to have plans in place or discussions ongoing regarding the Friday morning start time, for what First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already said will not be “an election as normal”.
At the daily Covid-19 briefing yesterday, she said: “My view on this, and it has been my view all along, is that if it is at all possible, the election should go ahead.
“Because we live in a democracy and it is right that people – perhaps even more so in a crisis – get the chance to cast their verdict on the government that is running the country.
“I think it is important that democracy happens.
“We’re not all going to be campaigning in the way we normally do, chapping on people’s doors. Maybe in the later stages more of that will be possible, but right now that is not possible.
“There will be arrangements that have to be made for the safe conduct of voting and counting.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel