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Dunfermline by-election: Count under way after polls close | Dunfermline by-election: Count under way after polls close |
(35 minutes later) | |
Counting is under way in the Dunfermline by-election to select a new MSP for the Scottish Parliament seat. | Counting is under way in the Dunfermline by-election to select a new MSP for the Scottish Parliament seat. |
Polling stations across the constituency closed at 22:00, with a result expected in the early hours of Friday morning. | Polling stations across the constituency closed at 22:00, with a result expected in the early hours of Friday morning. |
There are seven candidates standing, representing the SNP, Labour, the Conservatives, the Lib Dems, the Green Party, UKIP and one independent. | There are seven candidates standing, representing the SNP, Labour, the Conservatives, the Lib Dems, the Green Party, UKIP and one independent. |
The by-election was caused by the resignation of sitting MSP Bill Walker. | |
Walker was jailed for a year after being convicted for assaults on three ex-wives and a step-daughter. | |
He was elected for the SNP in 2011, but thrown out of the party when the charges came to light. | |
Local issues | |
Turnout in the by-election has been estimated at about 42%, with early indications that Labour could be on course to win the seat. | |
The SNP is defending a narrow margin - and with a cushion of just 590 votes at the last count. | |
SNP MP Pete Wishart has tweeted: "Would be a disaster for Labour if they didn't win Dunfermline convincingly given the reasons for the by election and mid term." | |
The parties have fought it out over contentious local issues, including proposed school closures by the council. | |
The SNP has also focused on its national policies such as the council tax freeze and the decision to remove the tolls on the nearby Forth Road Bridge. | |
But the party's opponents have tried to argue the SNP is centralising local services and spending too much time on the independence referendum. |