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Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election - voters go to the polls Polls close in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election
(about 13 hours later)
The results of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse ballot are expected in the early hours of Friday morningThe results of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse ballot are expected in the early hours of Friday morning
Voters in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse are heading to the polls to elect a new MSP. Polls have closed in the Scottish Parliament by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse.
A by-election is being held following the death of the SNP's Christina McKelvie. The vote is being held following the death of the South Lanarkshire constituency's former MSP, Christina McKelvie.
The polls open at 07:00 and close at 22:00, with a result expected in the early hours of Friday morning. The count began as polls shut at 22:00, with a result expected in the early hours of Friday morning.
In what is the first Scottish Parliament by-election since 2019, parties are aiming to build momentum ahead of next year's Holyrood elections. In what is the first Holyrood by-election since 2019, parties are aiming to build momentum ahead of next year's Holyrood elections.
Who are the candidates?Who are the candidates?
There are 10 candidates contesting the by-election. They are:There are 10 candidates contesting the by-election. They are:
Collette Bradley - Scottish Socialist PartyCollette Bradley - Scottish Socialist Party
Andy Brady - Scottish Family PartyAndy Brady - Scottish Family Party
Ross Lambie - Reform UKRoss Lambie - Reform UK
Katy Loudon - SNPKaty Loudon - SNP
Janice Mackay - UK Independence PartyJanice Mackay - UK Independence Party
Ann McGuinness - Scottish Green PartyAnn McGuinness - Scottish Green Party
Aisha Mir - Scottish Liberal DemocratsAisha Mir - Scottish Liberal Democrats
Richard Nelson - Scottish ConservativeRichard Nelson - Scottish Conservative
Davy Russell - Scottish LabourDavy Russell - Scottish Labour
Marc Wilkinson - IndependentMarc Wilkinson - Independent
Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse had been held by McKelvie since the constituency was created in 2011.Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse had been held by McKelvie since the constituency was created in 2011.
The SNP MSP served in several government roles, latterly as drugs and alcohol minister.The SNP MSP served in several government roles, latterly as drugs and alcohol minister.
She died aged 57 in March after being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer.She died aged 57 in March after being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer.
The new MSP will only be in place for less than a year before the Scottish Parliament elections, scheduled for May 2026.The new MSP will only be in place for less than a year before the Scottish Parliament elections, scheduled for May 2026.
SNP MSP Christina McKelvie died aged 57 in MarchSNP MSP Christina McKelvie died aged 57 in March
The by-election will be a first-past-the-post ballot, meaning the candidate with the highest number of votes will become the constituency's new MSP. McKelvie won the seat for the SNP comfortably in the 2021 Holyrood election with a majority of 4,582 over Labour.
Voters do not need ID to cast their ballot. Yet First Minister John Swinney has claimed the by-election is a "two-horse race" between the SNP and Reform.
South Lanarkshire Council has advised those voting by post that if they have not sent their ballot in good time to arrive by 22:00, they can hand them in to a polling station. He said: "People face a simple choice in this by-election. They can either vote for the SNP - elect an SNP MSP - or they will end up with a Reform MSP."
The council has published more advice on its website. Racism row
The BBC, like other broadcasters, is not allowed to report details of campaigning or election issues while polls are open. Nigel Farage's party has been accused of racism by both the SNP and Labour over an online video criticising Scottish leader Anas Sarwar.
Once polls close, the BBC Scotland News website will run a live page providing updates from the count in Hamilton, as well as expert analysis from correspondents and pundits. The video, posted on Facebook and Instagram, features clips from a speech Sarwar made in 2022. Reform added text claiming that Sarwar wanted to "prioritise the Pakistani community" - despite the Glasgow MSP not saying that.
There will also be a BBC Scotland by-election special on BBC One Scotland, the BBC News channel and the BBC Scotland News website from midnight, presented by Martin Geissler. Farage has defended the video and during a visit to Scotland earlier this week he accused Sarwar of "sectarian politics".
The Scottish Labour leader rubbished that claim and called Farage a "pathetic, poisonous little man".
He added: "Reform have chosen a campaign of dirt and smear, the SNP have lacked all ambition, the best they can offer is 'vote SNP to stop Farage'."
The by-election is a first-past-the-post ballot, meaning the candidate with the highest number of votes will become the constituency's new MSP.
The BBC Scotland News website is running a live page providing updates from the count in Hamilton, as well as expert analysis from correspondents and pundits.
A BBC Scotland by-election special, presented by Martin Geissler, is being aired on BBC One Scotland, the BBC News channel and the BBC Scotland News website from midnight.