Scottish Election 2026: Overnight vote counts axed for next year's Scottish Parliament election

Traditionally electoral votes are counted overnight after polls close, with results announced early the following morning.

However, the Electoral Management Board for Scotland (EMB) confirmed on Wednesday that a daytime count for the May 7 election would be held the following day, on the Friday.

The decision was made following a consultation held with returning officers [ROs], electoral registration officers [EROs] and the Electoral Commission.

Daytime counts are standard for local government elections in Scotland. The practice was also used at the previous Scottish Parliament election in 2021, when the country remained impacted by Covid restrictions.

Malcolm Burr, convener of the EMB, said: “The directions I make today, with the full support of ROs and EROs, will protect that reputation, promoting resilience and giving clarity to voters and candidates across the Scotland about how the election processes will be run.

“In addition to the usual administrative directions, such as when postal votes will be issued, I am directing that votes are to be counted on the day following the polls rather than overnight.”

Mr Burr said the move would “add resilience” to the complex operational process, increase public engagement and boost staff availability.

He said: “Counting during the day allows the use of well-rested staff with quick access to more resources, people and support facilities. Our counts are always accurate, but working in the day removes some risks, reduces costs and lets us declare the results when more people are engaged.”

The board said the proposed timing had been discussed with political parties, MSPs and at the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee of the Scottish Parliament at its meeting in September.

The EMB said it had taken account of lessons from previous elections, including the challenges experienced in the 2024 UK general election.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said on the decision to count votes during the day: “This will be a relief to all the hard-working count staff and party activists who will get a very well-earned rest after an arduous election campaign.”

The directions for the Scottish Parliament election aim to provide consistency across the electoral process. They include specifications like the colour of the ballot papers and the dates when poll cards and postal votes are issued.

A timetable has also been published by the EMB for the running of the election, including confirming the deadline for candidate nominations will be April 1.

Scots will be able to register to vote in the election up until April 20. The deadline for postal vote applications will be the following day.

There were more than four million registered electors for the 2021 Scottish election, with over one million of those having a postal vote.