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Concern over spoilt voting papers Concern over spoilt voting papers
(20 minutes later)
An unprecedented number of rejected ballot papers recorded across the country has prompted questions over Scotland's voting systems.An unprecedented number of rejected ballot papers recorded across the country has prompted questions over Scotland's voting systems.
Thousands of spoilt ballot papers have failed to make the final count in constituencies.Thousands of spoilt ballot papers have failed to make the final count in constituencies.
In Airdrie, Labour's majority of 1,446 was less than the 1,536 rejected ballots.In Airdrie, Labour's majority of 1,446 was less than the 1,536 rejected ballots.
There were 1,850 spoilt papers in Glasgow Baillieston and 1,736 in the city's Anniesland constituency.There were 1,850 spoilt papers in Glasgow Baillieston and 1,736 in the city's Anniesland constituency.
Voters were presented with two ballot papers and two voting systems - one for the Holyrood elections and the other for local authority elections - the latter under the new Single Transferable Vote system.Voters were presented with two ballot papers and two voting systems - one for the Holyrood elections and the other for local authority elections - the latter under the new Single Transferable Vote system.
Travel problems BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor said confusion over the new STV system could be having an impact on the level of rejected votes.
BBC Scotland political editor Brian Taylor said confusion over the new STV system could be having an impact.
He said: "The level is running way ahead of past outcomes. But don't blame the electronic counting - at least, that's the view of the company who supplied the counting machines. They insist their system is working."He said: "The level is running way ahead of past outcomes. But don't blame the electronic counting - at least, that's the view of the company who supplied the counting machines. They insist their system is working."
Travel problems
Toby Ballion, from DRS, the company which operates the electronic counting machines, said the large number of spoilt ballots was not caused by his equipment.
He called for the Scottish Executive to look at the way the ballot papers were designed.
In Glenrothes and East Kilbride, technical problems resulted in serious delays to outcomes being announced.In Glenrothes and East Kilbride, technical problems resulted in serious delays to outcomes being announced.
Counts from two islands are also being delayed due to travel problems.Counts from two islands are also being delayed due to travel problems.
In the Western Isles fog prevented a helicopter taking ballot boxes from Barra and a boat from Arran broke down in the Clyde causing a delayed outcome for voters.In the Western Isles fog prevented a helicopter taking ballot boxes from Barra and a boat from Arran broke down in the Clyde causing a delayed outcome for voters.