The counting of votes in Glasgow began this morning and will continue throughout the day. The Glasgow Anniesland seat is expected to be the first to declare a result with the SNP expected to retain the seat. 51.53 per cent voted on the constituency ballot, while 51.62 voted on the list in this part of the city.
Former Green co-leader Patrick Harvie arrived to the count with two party hopeful candidates and was met with cheers. The party are now confident of success for Iris Duane in the Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill constituency and Holly Bruce in Glasgow Southside, respectively. The party has never won a constituency before.
Representatives of the SNP have been quieter on their performance in Glasgow, although activists have told The Scotsman they believe their vote in those two city seats under challenge from the Scottish Greens appeared to be holding up yesterday.
Briefings from the Scottish Labour Party suggest their performance will be disappointing in Glasgow.
Turnout figures released so far suggest that overall votes cast will be down from the last election in 2021.
Results may be announced as early as 1.40pm today and the constituency declarations should be concluded by 5pm today at the Glasgow count in the Glasgow International Arena.
Acorss the country, the SNP is to fall short of a majority but will be the largest party, according to a leading Scottish pollster. The projection by Diffley Partnership had the Nationalists on 56 seats - nine short of a majority.
The Glasgow region could be represented by two Reform MSPs for the first time according to a number of Scottish election polls.
Current Shettleston councillor Thomas Kerr is top of the party’s list to get a position with former solicitor Kim Schmulian in second and Springburn & Robroyston councillor Audrey Dempsey in third.
Labour is predicted to bag three MSP positions in the city’s Scottish parliament region says a projected MRP poll from YouGov with Anas Sarwar at the top of the list for the party, Pauline McNeill in second and Paul Sweeney third.
The poll estimates the Greens would win two of the seven available slots. Patrick Harvie is first on the list with Langside councillor Holly Bruce next in line for the party.
Another poll – More in Common – claims the Liberal Democrats could take one list seat in Glasgow and the Conservatives could also win a sole position. Daniel Khan-O’Malley is the number one candidate for the Liberal Democrats while Annie Wells is the Conservative top choice.
That poll would see Labour getting two candidates elected with the Greens securing one elected politician.
5. Scottish Election
The 2026 Scottish Parliament election will elect 129 MSPs. | Getty Images
6. Scottish Election
Seats for the regions are allocated according to the number of regional votes cast for the party divided by the number of constituency and regional seats already gained in that region plus one. | Getty Images
7. Scottish Election
YouGov predicts the SNP could bag 62 seats – just short of the 65 needed for a majority as the party is set to dominate constituency results in Holyrood. It means the party are less likely to gain list seats due to the voting system as they are predicted to secure major triumphs in constituencies. | Getty Images