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Scottish Parliamentary Election - 6th May 2021 - results

Notice of election expenses

An election was held on 6 May 2021 to elect Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to the Scottish Parliament.

There are currently 129 elected members in the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, of which 73 are constituency members and 56 are list members representing electoral regions.

Elections to the Scottish Parliament are carried out using the Additional Member Voting system. This voting system combines the traditional First Past the Post system (FPP) and Proportional Representation (PR).

Everyone in Scotland is represented by 8 MSPs:

• One for their constituency e.g. ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute
• Seven for the larger region in which they live e.g. Highlands and Islands region

There are currently 3 Parliamentary Constituencies in the Highland Council area.

You can currently vote to return a constituency MSP for:

• ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute

and List MSP's for the Highlands and Islands Region.

The Highlands and Islands Region of the Scottish Parliament

The Highlands and Islands Region comprises:

• ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute
• Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
• Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch
• Inverness and Nairn
• Moray
• Shetland
• Orkney
• Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Pippa Milne is the Constituency Returning Officer for the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute constituency and Donna Manson is the Regional Returning Officer for the Highlands and Islands Region.

Please note:

While the Helensburgh and Lomond area sits within the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ area, it should be noted that for the purposes of the Scottish Parliament election this area sits within the West Scotland Region and the Dumbarton Constituency.  

Statutory Notices

• Notice of Election - ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute Constituency
• Notice of Election - Highlands and Islands Constituency
• Notice of Poll and Statement of Person's Nominated - Highlands and Islands Constituency
• Notice of Poll (List of Candidates)
• Notice of Appointment of Election Agents
• Notice of Situation of Polling Places

Information for voters - this page gives guidance and timetables for voting in this election
 

Election timetable

Information for candidates and agents

We will post information as soon it becomes available for those interested in standing for election in the following constituencies/regions:

• ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute Constituency

Candidates and agents awareness session

The Returning Officer would like to offer an awareness virtual briefing session to prospective candidates and their agents. The awareness session will cover topics such as:

• The Nomination Procedure
• The Election timetable
• The issuing of Poll Cards 
• Postal Ballot packs
• Spending limits

Candidate / Agent Briefing

Tuesday 13th April at 10.30am for Candidates and Agents

If you would like to register your interest to attend this session, please telephone the Council’s Election Office on 01546 603264 or e-mail the office at elections@argyll-bute.gov.uk 

The Electoral Commission provide  for candidates and their agents for the Scottish Parliamentary election.

Nomination pack - Scottish Parliamentary Election 6 May 2021

In light of Covid19 our nomination process has been revised

Financial assistance for disabled people running in the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary Election

The Access to Elected Office Fund offers financial assistance to disabled people running in the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary election and in any by-elections for Local Authority and Scottish Parliament seats. The fund is delivered by Inclusion Scotland and supported by the Scottish Government.

The count

As per a direction from the Electoral Management board the Returning Officer must ensure that the Count timing (verification and count) of the first ballot boxes are opened no earlier than 9 am and no later than 10 am on Friday, 7 May 2021, to allow verification and counting of constituency and regional ballots in the constituencies.

The venue is Lochgilphead Joint Campus Sports Hall, Lochgilphead, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ PA31 8AA.

The count is not open to the public and access is restricted to election staff, candidates, their agents and the media, accredited observers and Electoral Commission representatives.

The results

The results will appear on the Election Results page after each count is concluded.

Nomination process for candidates

This process has been developed to assist you with the submission of your Constituency nomination papers in a safe and secure manner.

• Publication of Notice of Election on Monday 15 March 2021
• Nominations can be lodged between 16 March 2021 until 31 March (before 4pm)
• For informal checking, please scan all papers of your pack and send to elections@argyll-bute.gov.uk
• The Election Team will book an online Skype Session to conduct the information checking of papers with you
• You can deliver your own nomination, or have a 2nd informal check performed if an error was detected

To become nominated you need to submit:

• The complete set of nomination papers by hand to: The ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ HQ, Election Office, Lochgilphead PA31 8RT
• Plus the £500 deposit can be paid by cheque, bankers draft or BACS
• Note: the deposit if not forfeited will be returned to the payee of the deposit

Please email elections@argyll-bute.gov.uk or contact 01546 603264 (weekdays between 9am and 5pm) to arrange an appointment. Nomination papers must be delivered before 4pm on Wednesday 31 March.

Download a copy of the nomination process for candidates here