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Salmond in Scottish election call Salmond in Scottish election call
(about 9 hours later)
Control over all Scottish elections should be transferred from Westminster to the Scottish Government, according to the First Minister. Control over all Scottish elections should be transferred from Westminster to the Scottish Government, according to the first minister.
Alex Salmond's call follows an independent report into May's council and Holyrood elections that led to 140,000 votes being spoilt. Alex Salmond's call followed an independent report into May's council and Holyrood elections that led to 140,000 votes being spoilt.
The latest report recommended that Scottish ministers oversee both votes.The latest report recommended that Scottish ministers oversee both votes.
Scottish Secretary Des Browne said he would discuss the issue but was unconvinced about the need for change.Scottish Secretary Des Browne said he would discuss the issue but was unconvinced about the need for change.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS A chief returning officer for ScotlandSeparate days for parliament and local electionsSeparate ballot papers to stop confusionNo overnight counting if polls continue to close at 10pmReturn to folded ballot papers to increase secrecyElectronic counting to be incorporated properlyParty names to appear first on the ballot paper Report findings: At-a-glanceKEY RECOMMENDATIONS A chief returning officer for ScotlandSeparate days for parliament and local electionsSeparate ballot papers to stop confusionNo overnight counting if polls continue to close at 10pmReturn to folded ballot papers to increase secrecyElectronic counting to be incorporated properlyParty names to appear first on the ballot paper Report findings: At-a-glance
The report into the May ballots said one body should be responsible for both, with Holyrood the "logical choice".The report into the May ballots said one body should be responsible for both, with Holyrood the "logical choice".
The Electoral Commission-sanctioned inquiry was headed by independent expert Ron Gould, the former assistant chief electoral officer of Canada.The Electoral Commission-sanctioned inquiry was headed by independent expert Ron Gould, the former assistant chief electoral officer of Canada.
Mr Gould said there should be separate election days for Holyrood and local councils and that future elections should consider the voter above all else.Mr Gould said there should be separate election days for Holyrood and local councils and that future elections should consider the voter above all else.
Mr Salmond said the findings raised "extremely serious issues".Mr Salmond said the findings raised "extremely serious issues".
The elections saw a new ballot paper design brought in and a new voting system for the council seats.The elections saw a new ballot paper design brought in and a new voting system for the council seats.
The first minister endorsed the suggestion Holyrood should take overall control and has written to the Prime Minister urging talks to resolve the issue. The first minister endorsed the suggestion Holyrood should take overall control and has written to Prime Minister Gordon Brown urging talks to resolve the issue.
But Mr Browne said if the council elections were held on a different day from the Holyrood poll, then the logic for single control vanishes. However, Mr Browne said if the council elections were held on a different day from the Holyrood poll, then the logic for single control vanishes.