Scottish Election 2021 Thursday RECAP: Polling across Scotland closes as Nicola Sturgeon fights for SNP majority | Anas Sarwar's Labour tries to overtake Douglas Ross's Conservatives | Dogs pictured at polling places

Here is a look back on polling to elect the next Scottish Government today (May 6) as polls across Scotland close.
Live updates as Scots head to the polls in the 2021 Holyrood elections.Live updates as Scots head to the polls in the 2021 Holyrood elections.
Live updates as Scots head to the polls in the 2021 Holyrood elections.

Polling stations were open from 7am till 10pm, in an election which could be crucial in determining Scotland’s future within the UK.

Follow this recap which takes a look back at the news and events as they unfolded throughout the day.

Scottish Election 2021 RECAP: The updates from around the country as Scotland went to the polls

Key Events

  • Scots headed to the polls on Thursday to elect next Scottish Government
  • Polling stations were open from 7am till 10pm
  • Sturgeon and SNP pushing to win overall majority at Holyrood

Voters heading to polls for crucial Holyrood election

Scots are heading to the polls to elect the next Scottish Government – though the coronavirus pandemic means it could be more than 48 hours before all the results are counted.

Polling stations are open from 7am till 10pm, in an election which could be crucial in determining Scotland’s future within the UK.

Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader, is certain to be returned as First Minister with the largest party in the 129-seat Scottish Parliament.

But she and her party are pushing to try to win an overall majority at Holyrood, in the hope that this could help them secure a second independence referendum.

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Sturgeon certain to be returned as First Minister - but will SNP win overall majority?

Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader, is certain to be returned as First Minister with the largest party in the 129-seat Scottish Parliament.

But she and her party are pushing to try to win an overall majority at Holyrood, in the hope that this could help them secure a second independence referendum.

Throughout the campaign Ms Sturgeon has stressed that such a ballot would not take place until the immediate health crisis brought about by the coronavirus pandemic has passed.

Her opponents, however, in the pro-UK parties insist that this would hinder Scotland’s recovery from the virus, arguing that this must be the focus of the next Scottish Parliament.

With the SNP winning most of their seats in the constituency section of the ballot, elections expert Professor Sir John Curtice said there were nine “knife-edge constituencies” which will be key in this.

These are seats held by the Tories or Labour, but where Ms Sturgeon’s party would need a swing of five points or less to claim them.

Scotsman editor Neil McIntosh taken aback by the Scottish weather as the country goes to the polls

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Today’s Scotsman frontpage

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