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Scottish independence: Voting under way in referendum Scottish independence: Voting under way in referendum
(35 minutes later)
People in Scotland are voting on whether the country should stay in the UK or become an independent nation.People in Scotland are voting on whether the country should stay in the UK or become an independent nation.
Voters will answer "Yes" or "No" to the referendum question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"Voters will answer "Yes" or "No" to the referendum question: "Should Scotland be an independent country?"
With 4,285,323 people - 97% of the electorate - registered to vote, a historically high turnout is expected. With 4,285,323 people - 97% of the electorate - registered to vote, it is expected to be the busiest day in Scottish electoral history.
Votes will be cast at 2,608 polling places across the country until 22:00 on Thursday. The result is expected early on Friday morning. Votes will be cast at 5,579 polling stations until 22:00 on Thursday. The result is expected on Friday morning.
Strict rules mean the BBC - in common with other broadcasters - is not allowed to report details of campaigning until after the polls close.Strict rules mean the BBC - in common with other broadcasters - is not allowed to report details of campaigning until after the polls close.
Once the polls have closed, ballot papers will be counted in each of Scotland's 32 local authority areas.Once the polls have closed, ballot papers will be counted in each of Scotland's 32 local authority areas.
These will include votes cast from the 789,024 postal vote applications, which was the largest volume of registration for postal votes ever in Scotland.These will include votes cast from the 789,024 postal vote applications, which was the largest volume of registration for postal votes ever in Scotland.
After votes have been tallied, the counting officer in each area will communicate the result to the chief counting officer Mary Pitcaithly in Edinburgh.After votes have been tallied, the counting officer in each area will communicate the result to the chief counting officer Mary Pitcaithly in Edinburgh.
With her approval they will then make a declaration of the result.With her approval they will then make a declaration of the result.
Once the results from all 32 local authority areas are known, Ms Pitcaithly will declare the result of the referendum at the Royal Highland Centre outside Edinburgh.Once the results from all 32 local authority areas are known, Ms Pitcaithly will declare the result of the referendum at the Royal Highland Centre outside Edinburgh.
Ms Pitcaithly has said she will announce the result at "breakfast time" on Friday.Ms Pitcaithly has said she will announce the result at "breakfast time" on Friday.
The result is most likely to be between 06:30 and 07:30, according to Elections Scotland.The result is most likely to be between 06:30 and 07:30, according to Elections Scotland.
That is because the final Scottish declarations in the 2010 UK parliamentary elections and the 2011 Scottish parliamentary elections declaration were made at those times respectively.That is because the final Scottish declarations in the 2010 UK parliamentary elections and the 2011 Scottish parliamentary elections declaration were made at those times respectively.
However, running totals - which can be made from the first declaration onwards - may indicate a result earlier in the morning.However, running totals - which can be made from the first declaration onwards - may indicate a result earlier in the morning.
Local recountsLocal recounts
The bulk of these are expected to come in between 03:00 and 06:00.The bulk of these are expected to come in between 03:00 and 06:00.
Because of the expected high turnout, counting officers have put measures in place to reduce the risk of queuing at polling stations. Because the polling stations are expected to be so busy, counting officers have put measures in place to reduce the risk of queuing.
The remote nature of some Scottish regions also means bad weather could delay the receipt of ballot boxes at counting centres, in turn delaying the national result.The remote nature of some Scottish regions also means bad weather could delay the receipt of ballot boxes at counting centres, in turn delaying the national result.
Helicopters and boats are being used to transport ballot boxes to counts in areas such as Argyll and Bute.Helicopters and boats are being used to transport ballot boxes to counts in areas such as Argyll and Bute.
Elections Scotland said recounts will only be allowed at a local level on the basis of concerns about process, not the closeness of a result.Elections Scotland said recounts will only be allowed at a local level on the basis of concerns about process, not the closeness of a result.
Referendum nightReferendum night
The BBC's Scotland Decides will bring continuous, up-to-date coverage all through the night, as well as comprehensive analysis. On Twitter, keep abreast of all the action overnight via @BBCPolitics and @BBCScotlandNews.The BBC's Scotland Decides will bring continuous, up-to-date coverage all through the night, as well as comprehensive analysis. On Twitter, keep abreast of all the action overnight via @BBCPolitics and @BBCScotlandNews.
A Scotland Decides programme presented by Huw Edwards will be broadcast on BBC One from 22:35 BST, while Scotland Decides The Result will be broadcast on BBC One Scotland.A Scotland Decides programme presented by Huw Edwards will be broadcast on BBC One from 22:35 BST, while Scotland Decides The Result will be broadcast on BBC One Scotland.
Or follow the results on BBC Radio 4's Scotland Decides programme presented by James Naughtie and Rachel Burden. BBC Radio Scotland will also provide live coverage from 22:00 BST until 06:00 BST.Or follow the results on BBC Radio 4's Scotland Decides programme presented by James Naughtie and Rachel Burden. BBC Radio Scotland will also provide live coverage from 22:00 BST until 06:00 BST.
You can also watch and listen to all the live television and radio coverage on the BBC News website.You can also watch and listen to all the live television and radio coverage on the BBC News website.