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| Alexander makes election apology | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Former Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander has apologised for his role in the Scottish elections fiasco. | |
| Mr Alexander, now international development minister, had faced calls for his resignation after a critical report into the ballots. | |
| His apology came as First Minister Alex Salmond called for control over all Scottish elections to be transferred to the Scottish Government. | |
| More than 140,000 votes were spoilt in May's council and Holyrood elections. | |
| International expert Ron Gould's report claimed that Scottish ministers - in Edinburgh and London - had focused on partisan political interests and voters were treated as an "afterthought". | |
| Mr Alexander said: "I, of course, apologise for any actions or omissions on my part which contributed to the problems encountered in the Scottish elections." | |
| The report also 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-glance | 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-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 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, who will make a statement to the Scottish Parliament, said the findings raised "extremely serious issues". | Mr Salmond, who will make a statement to the Scottish Parliament, 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 Prime Minister Gordon Brown 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. |
| 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. | 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. |