Holyrood vote takes priority

The election count for the new Scottish Parliament will take priority if the Westminster electoral reform referendum goes ahead on the same polling day.

The date for the referendum is still subject to fierce debate, but Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is pressing for 5 May, when the Holyrood vote takes place.

The Electoral Commission said last night that counting officers would be instructed to prioritise votes for the Scottish Parliament, Northern Ireland Assembly and Welsh Assembly elections. Counting in the referendum on the introduction of the alternative vote system for elections to parliament would not start until 4pm the following day.