Voting under way in Scottish elections
Voting is under way in the Scottish elections as the electorate has its say on who should represent Shetland at Holyrood.
Polling stations will remain open until 10pm when ballot boxes will be transferred to the Clickimin centre where counting will take place. A result is expected to be declared at around 2.30am tomorrow and The Shetland Times will be printed in the early hours to bring readers the latest news.
There are 17,794 registered voters in the isles, some of whom have already had their say via the postal vote.
Already a total 1,803 postal votes have been counted, according to returning officer Jan Riise. That is from a total of 2,788 – a turnout of 65 per cent.
Meanwhile, traditional ballot box voting will continue throughout the day with voters choosing a constituency candidate and lending to support to a party on the regional list. The constituency candidates are: Robina Barton, Labour; Tavish Scott, Liberal Democrat; Danus Skene, SNP; Cameron Smith, Conservative
There were a good number of people casting their vote in Lerwick this morning as Stephen Gordon went to Gilbertson Park.
He writes, at 7am there was already a small queue outside the polling station as the sun came and went.
When I was voting there was some confusion with the couple in front of me whom seemed to be on the wrong list from what it said on their polling card. The man was heard to say “I dont believe it !” in true Victor Meldrew style. The matter was resolved.
Outside Clive Burgess, groundsman was coming to work and voting. Asked how he thought it was going to go, he answered “Same as normal, I dont know, how should I ken!”.
Tommy West said he didn’t mind telling me he had voted for Tavish Scott, who he thought would win but he was “no sure”.
Finally, a gentleman who was politely asked “Do you mind if I ask you how you voted? replied it was “a private personal thing nothing to do with anyone else, nobody should be telt what to do!” and “I was lucky he had not thrown “a wobbler”.
“Hit’s a fine day though!” I added, as the sun came out for a steady stream of voters.
Nancy Snyder
When I went to vote at Sandwick, a person was standing just inside the Polling Station with a Lib/Dem Rosette. Isn’t this illegal? The officers didn’t seem to be doing anything about this. I think it is illegal to display party political T-shirts, rosettes or placards in or near the Polling Station. The person did not leave during the time I was in the Polling Station. He just stood there without moving, or making any move toward the officers at the table . I found this very intimidating and I thought it was illegal. I regret that I didn’t protest about this at the time.
John N Hunter
Candidates and their agents are allowed to attend polling stations wearing their party rosettes.
David Spence
Well, Tavish has maintained his seat for Shetland. Tavish won against the SNP candidate Danus Skene by a majority of 4,895 votes.
First – Lib Dems
Second – SNP
Third – Labour
Forth – Conservative and Unionist Party.