Authorities to follow Capital lead in vote count

MOST areas of Scotland are now expected to follow Edinburgh's lead and hold overnight counts for the Scottish Parliament elections rather than waiting until the next day.

Capital returning officer, council chief executive Sue Bruce said last week counting in the city would start as soon as the polls close on Thursday, May 5.

Returning officers from across the country were meeting today to discuss their plans.

There had been fears that many could opt to delay counting until the Friday, arguing it was too tiring for staff to work through the night.

However, now it looks as if there will be overnight counts in all council areas apart from Argyll & Bute and the three Highland constituencies based around Inverness, Caithness and Skye.

That means while most results should be known by breakfast time on Friday, the final outcome of the election, especially if it is close, might not be clear until lunchtime or later.

Counting of votes in the referendum on a new voting system for Westminster elections, also being held on May 5, is legally required to start everywhere at 4pm on the Friday.

Ms Bruce said Edinburgh was recruiting a record number of staff to carry out the counts, which will all take place at Ingliston.