Vote counting due to begin in Scottish Parliament election

Vote counting in the Scottish Parliament election is due to begin on Friday morning, after the country went to the polls on Thursday.

Ballot boxes will be opened at 9am at designated counting centres across Scotland.

The full picture of the results should become clear on Friday evening.

Voters in Scotland will elect 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament, which will determine who will become first minister.

As polls closed at 10pm on Thursday, leaders of the political parties thanked their campaigners for their work over the past six weeks.

SNP leader John Swinney said: “Our campaign focused entirely on the priorities of the people of Scotland – improving the NHS, supporting people with the cost of living and delivering the fresh start of independence.

Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “We ran an ambitious campaign and we are proud of it.

“We have championed a serious plan and have put forward a serious and credible candidate for first minister, Anas Sarwar.”

“I am proud of our manifesto we produced which was full of ambitious policies to get Scotland working again after two decades of SNP failure.”

Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay said: “The Scottish Greens are grateful to everyone who has put their trust in us and backed our positive and hopeful vision for Scotland.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “As polls close I would like to thank all of the Scottish Liberal Democrat candidates and activists who have worked so hard to deliver a positive and energetic campaign from the Borders to the Highlands and Islands.”

Earlier on Thursday, the leaders of the main political parties arrived at their local polling stations.

Mr Swinney voted in Burrelton in Blairgowrie with his wife Elizabeth by his side.

Malcolm Offord, Reform UK’s Scottish leader, cast his ballot at St James’ Church in Edinburgh.

Mr Cole-Hamilton was at Davidson’s Mains Parish Church in Edinburgh to vote, accompanied by his wife Gill and dog Bramble.

Mr Findlay arrived by bicycle at the polling station in Cleveden Secondary School in Glasgow.

Ms Mackay voted at Laurieston Community Hall near Falkirk, accompanied by her partner Alex and their son.

Under the Scottish Parliament’s electoral system, voters elect 73 constituency representatives and a further 56 MSPs via eight regional lists.