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Scottish independence: Electoral Commission finding due Scottish independence: SNP accepts call to change referendum question
(about 3 hours later)
By Andrew Black Political reporter, BBC Scotland   By Andrew Black Political reporter, BBC Scotland
The election watchdog is delivering its finding on the Scottish government's independence referendum question. The Scottish government has agreed to change the wording of its independence referendum question, after concerns it may lead people to vote 'Yes'.
The Electoral Commission has spent the last few months assessing the SNP government's preferred wording on the ballot paper in autumn 2014. SNP ministers wanted to ask voters the yes/no question: "Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?" in autumn 2014.
It wants to ask voters the yes/no question: "Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?" The wording of the question now looks set to be altered to: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
The change was suggested by the Electoral Commission watchdog.
Final approval of the referendum arrangements rests with the Scottish Parliament.Final approval of the referendum arrangements rests with the Scottish Parliament.
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond previously described his government's question as "short, straightforward and clear", but critics say the wording is biased. The commission, which has been testing the government's proposed wording, said concern had been raised over the phrase "Do you agree" and said more "neutral" language was needed.
There has been speculation the Electoral Commission may reword the ballot paper, inviting voters to record "I agree" or "I disagree" to a general statement about independence. Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon immediately said the Scottish government would accept the commission's recommendations.
The Scottish government's suggested question is: Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country? The commission also recommended increases in the campaign spending limits proposed by the Scottish government in the run-up to the referendum.
Some say that is too inclusive, too inviting. That would see the cap on the two main campaigns - Yes Scotland and Better Together - raised from £750,000 to £1.5m, while there would also be changes in the cap for political parties.
Experts commissioned by the opposition parties suggested there should instead be a preface statement on the ballot paper - "Scotland should become an independent state" - with the option to tick a box marked "I agree" or another marked "I do not agree." Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond previously described his government's question as "short, straightforward and clear", but critics claimed the wording was biased.
Seems likely that something along those lines - with the alternative agree/disagree options on the ballot paper - will find favour with the commission. Scottish Electoral Commissioner John McCormick said voters were entitled to have confidence in the result of the referendum.
He said: "We have rigorously tested the proposed question, speaking to a wide range of people across Scotland.
The commission's guidance says a referendum question must be easy to understand and should avoid misleading voters or encouraging them to vote a certain way. "Any referendum question must be, and be seen to be, neutral. People told us that they felt the words 'Do you agree' could lead voters towards voting 'yes'."
A panel of experts chaired by Lord Sutherland, along with the referendum and election experts Matt Qvortrup and Ron Gould, was set up by Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats to devise an alternative question. Mr McCormick also called on the Scottish and UK governments to work together to provide more clarity on the vote.
It suggested the words, "Scotland should become an independent state", with voters being asked to "agree" or "disagree" - although the Electoral Commission will only consider a form of words put forward by the relevant government. He added: "People had a clear understanding that 'independent country' meant being separate from the UK.
The independent commission has spoken to voters across Scotland to see whether they can easily understand and answer the question and has also taken advice from "plain language" experts, politicians, academics and others. "But they did want factual information in advance about what will happen after the referendum."
The Scottish government has said it would be inappropriate to comment in advance on what the watchdog might say. On campaign spending limits - which cover the "regulated", 16-week period of the campaign before the poll is held - the commission based its recommendations partly on information it now had on the likely shape and scale of campaigning.
But, on Tuesday, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said ministers would attach "considerable weight" to the Electoral Commission recommendations, saying there would have to be "a very good reason" to depart from what it says. Mr McCormick said: "The campaign spending limits we have recommended are designed to ensure there are no barriers to voters hearing from campaigners in what will be a historic vote for the people of Scotland.
The Electoral Commission, which is also publishing advice on campaign spending, could also support increased limits for the two main campaigns - Yes Scotland and Better Together - but specify limits for individual parties in line with their showing at the 2011 Holyrood elections. "We have listened carefully to the views of the Scottish government and to campaigners, and have set out proposals based on our principles that spending limits should allow effective campaigning for all outcomes, deter excessive spending and encourage transparency."
In March last year, href="http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/146927/The-Scottish-referendum-Response-to-consultations.pdf" >the body expressed an initial view that the proposed spending limit for the designated four-month campaign in the run-up to the referendum "may be low". The Scottish government proposed a limit of £750,000 for lead campaigns, on the basis that the total was half the maximum spending limit of just over £1.5m for parties fighting Scottish Parliament elections, and that the referendum will not involve constituency campaigns.
The Scottish government has proposed a limit of £750,000 for designated lead campaigns, on the basis that the total was half the maximum spending limit of just over £1.5m for parties fighting Scottish Parliament elections, and that the referendum will not involve constituency campaigns. In drawing its findings on the question, commission spoke to voters across Scotland to see whether they could easily understand and answer the question and took advice from "plain language" experts, politicians, academics and others.
The terms of the referendum will be contained in a Scottish government bill, which would need the approval of the Scottish Parliament.The terms of the referendum will be contained in a Scottish government bill, which would need the approval of the Scottish Parliament.