In Scotland’s first recall by-election, voters are heading to the polls to elect a new MP for the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency. The by-election was triggered after former SNP MP Margaret Ferrier was ousted from her position for breaching Covid rules. The by-election will be closely watched by both Labour and the SNP as they vie for victory in what is expected to be an early test ahead of the next general election, which is slated for 2024.
There are a total of 14 candidates vying for election in the South Lanarkshire seat. Polling stations opened at 07:00 and will remain open until 22:00. Rutherglen and Hamilton West is one of the most vulnerable Westminster seats for the SNP, having changed hands between the SNP and Labour in each of the past three general elections.
The by-election comes after almost 12,000 constituents signed a recall petition against Ferrier. She was given 270 hours of community service after being convicted of breaching Covid regulations in 2020. After being removed from the SNP Westminster group, Ferrier sat in the Commons as an independent before being recalled.
The results are expected to be announced in the early hours of Friday. Accepted forms of ID, such as a passport, driving licence or National Entitlement Card for concessionary travel, including a 60+, disabled or under-22s bus pass, are required to vote. While these rules apply to Westminster votes and English local elections, they will not apply to Scottish Parliament or council elections in Scotland
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