Letter: Learn the rules

I VOTED at a polling station in Stoneyburn village, West Lothian, in the local elections, but my free access to the polling station was obstructed by an SNP election agent giving out leaflets at the front entrance.

I reported the matter to the presiding officer, who immediately instructed her assistant to advise the agent to stop issuing leaflets within the precincts of the polling station, which the agent refused to do.

He had challenged the authority of the presiding officer and so the returning officer for West Lothian had to become involved and tell the agent to leave the precinct of the polling station immediately.

Eventually, the agent was stopped issuing leaflets and obstructing free access to the polling station.

Nobody objects to agents assisting voters at entrance doors to the polling stations; holding babies, dogs, prams, etc. But political activity is not permitted.

It is outrageous and disconcerting that a major political party in Scotland was so ignorant of the electoral process and has such contempt for the voters and the officers running the election that it casts doubt on their ability to run councils and the parliament, to which they are elected.

KENNETH G FERGUSON OBE

Stoneyburn

West Lothian