Tory Alex Fergusson is the front runner to be elected as the new presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament.
Tory Alex Fergusson has been elected as the new presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament.
The MSP for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale is so far the only declared candidate, but Independent Margo MacDonald may challenge him.
The Galloway and Upper Nithsdale MSP saw off a last minute challenge from Independent MSP Margo MacDonald.
Mr Fergusson had ruled himself out, but later said he could do the job while still serving his constituents. He also received numerous requests to stand.
MSPs voted in a secret ballot to elect Mr Fergusson by 108 votes over Ms MacDonald, who received 20 votes.
MSPs will decide on the successor to George Reid in a secret ballot.
The Scottish Parliament will also be faced with the task of electing two of the MSPs to serve in the post of deputy presiding officer.
The decision on a new presiding officer was delayed after the parties said they needed more time to consider candidates, following the election result which saw the SNP become the largest party by only one seat.
Mr Fergusson had earlier ruled himself out of the politically neutral position of presiding officer, but later said he could do the job while still serving his constituents.
Mr Fergusson said that, if elected, he had no doubt he could carry out the job in the impartial and fair manner demanded by parliament.
Speaking after the result of the ballot, Holyrood's previous presiding officer George Reid told MSPs: "You have just elected a decent and honourable man to head this house.
It's a very serious job Lord SteelFormer presiding officer
"Alex Fergusson is experienced both as a regional and constituency member. He has the personal authority of having just been returned with a significantly increased majority."
He told BBC Scotland he was prepared to put his party allegiances to one side, adding: "In the first parliament I was convener of the rural development committee at a time when there was a lot of legislation being dealt with, with which I profoundly disagreed.
"I don't think anybody on that committee will tell you anything other than I proved to be a completely impartial and fair convener."
But that does not mean Mr Fergusson would necessarily quit the Conservative Party or the Tory group at Holyrood.
He said he would look at the rules and explore possible options.
Margo MacDonald has not ruled out standing herself
However, Ms MacDonald, who described Mr Fergusson as a "thoroughly decent man", said: "Whether or not he will be perceived to be absolutely neutral in the chair is another matter."
Ms MacDonald denied her disagreement with SNP leader Alex Salmond would cast doubt on her impartiality, should she end up in the presiding officer's chair, stating that it was all in the past.
"We shouldn't have the potential conflict that might arise where the presiding officer, in a very tight, agitated parliament, can be accused of having a party affiliation," she added.
Holyrood's first presiding officer, Lord Steel of Aikwood, said the job went far beyond simply chairing the parliament.
He said: "There's a lot behind the scenes.
"The presiding officer has got to chair the corporate body, has got to chair the (parliamentary) bureau, has got to make decisions on whether each incoming bill is consistent with the Scotland Act and the European Convention.
"Plus (there are) the outside duties which the presiding officer has to do - promoting the parliament in the country and overseas.
