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Residents of Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse are preparing to participate in a by-election to choose a new Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP). This election comes after the passing of the SNP’s Christina McKelvie. Polls will be open from 07:00 to 22:00, with the results anticipated in the early hours of Friday morning. This by-election marks the first of its kind in the Scottish Parliament since 2019, with political parties striving to gain momentum leading up to next year’s Holyrood elections.
With a total of 10 candidates vying for the MSP position, the competition is steep. The contestants include representatives from various parties such as the Scottish Socialist Party, Scottish Family Party, Reform UK, SNP, UK Independence Party, Scottish Green Party, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Scottish Conservative, Scottish Labour, and an Independent candidate. These individuals are hoping to secure the constituency previously held by McKelvie since its inception in 2011.
McKelvie, who passed away at the age of 57 in March after battling secondary breast cancer, held various government roles, notably serving as the drugs and alcohol minister. The incoming MSP will only hold the position temporarily, as the Scottish Parliament elections are set for May 2026. The by-election follows a first-past-the-post system, ensuring that the candidate with the highest number of votes will assume the role of the constituency’s new MSP.
Voters are not required to present any identification when casting their ballot, simplifying the voting process. For those utilizing postal voting, South Lanarkshire Council advises that if the ballot has not been sent in time to arrive by 22:00, it can be hand-delivered to a polling station. The council has released additional guidance on its website for further assistance. While campaigning details cannot be disclosed by the media during the polls, the BBC Scotland News website will offer real-time updates and expert analysis post-poll closure. Additionally, a dedicated BBC Scotland by-election special program will air on BBC One Scotland, the BBC News channel, and the BBC Scotland News website from midnight, hosted by Martin Geissler
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