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Scottish independence referendum: what happens after the polls close The Scottish referendum: what happens after the polls close
(35 minutes later)
Your guide to the next 24 hours of the Scottish referendum, in which more than 4.2 million people have registered to vote - the largest electorate ever in Scotland Your guide to the next 24 hours of the Scottish referendum, in which more than 4.2 million people have registered to vote – the largest electorate ever in Scotland.
• The polls at 5,579 voting stations in 32 councils close at 10pm, although anybody queueing at 10pm will be allowed to vote. The sealed boxes containing the ballot papers will then be collected and transported to each local authority's designated count venue - usually a school, sports centre or town hall.• The polls at 5,579 voting stations in 32 councils close at 10pm, although anybody queueing at 10pm will be allowed to vote. The sealed boxes containing the ballot papers will then be collected and transported to each local authority's designated count venue - usually a school, sports centre or town hall.
The councils will report results to Mary Pitcaithly, the chief counting officer, at the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston, near Edinburgh.The councils will report results to Mary Pitcaithly, the chief counting officer, at the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston, near Edinburgh.
• The campaign against Scottish independence appears to have edged ahead according to the final poll of the referendum campaign, conducted by Ipsos Mori for London's Evening Standard, with the no campaign at 53% of decided voters compared with the yes group's 47%.• The campaign against Scottish independence appears to have edged ahead according to the final poll of the referendum campaign, conducted by Ipsos Mori for London's Evening Standard, with the no campaign at 53% of decided voters compared with the yes group's 47%.
• First results are due in between 1.30am and 2am. The remote Orkney Islands which has the smallest electorate with 17,515 registered voters, are expected to be the first to declare. Most of the results should come through between 3am and 5am. • First results are due in between 1.30am and 2am. Remote Orkney, which has the smallest electorate with 17,515 registered voters, is expected to be the first to declare. Most of the results should come through between 3am and 5am.
• Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen - home to about 25% of registered voters - will be the last three councils to announce results between 5am and 6am. These three population centres are among the 12 pivotal areas. • Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen – home to about 25% of registered voters – will be the last three councils to announce results between 5am and 6am. These three population centres are among the 12 pivotal areas.
• With 486,219 registered voters (11.5% of the electorate), Glasgow will be the largest council to declare and the last. If the yes campaign wins by a significant margin in Glasgow it will have a serious impact on the overall result. Edinburgh, the financial and political capital, with 377,413 registered voters (8.8%), is expected to vote no. Aberdeen (4.2%) is expected to vote no.• With 486,219 registered voters (11.5% of the electorate), Glasgow will be the largest council to declare and the last. If the yes campaign wins by a significant margin in Glasgow it will have a serious impact on the overall result. Edinburgh, the financial and political capital, with 377,413 registered voters (8.8%), is expected to vote no. Aberdeen (4.2%) is expected to vote no.
• Pitcaithly is expected to announce the final result at the Royal Highland Centre between 6.30am and 7.30am.• Pitcaithly is expected to announce the final result at the Royal Highland Centre between 6.30am and 7.30am.
• A national recount has been ruled out even if there is only one deciding vote. Local recounts, however, are allowed.• A national recount has been ruled out even if there is only one deciding vote. Local recounts, however, are allowed.
• David Cameron will make a televised address shortly after the results are declared to try to calm the atmosphere whatever the results.• David Cameron will make a televised address shortly after the results are declared to try to calm the atmosphere whatever the results.
• If it is a yes vote, Cameron has two choices: either to convene parliament immediately at the weekend, or instead to wait until Monday, by which time the markets will have reopened after what will have already been one hectic day of currency trading on Friday. The pound will take a hit if it's a yes.• If it is a yes vote, Cameron has two choices: either to convene parliament immediately at the weekend, or instead to wait until Monday, by which time the markets will have reopened after what will have already been one hectic day of currency trading on Friday. The pound will take a hit if it's a yes.
• If it's no, Cameron's immediate goal would be reconciliation between yes and no, and to trigger the hasty timetable for extra devolution in Scotland set out by Gordon Brown. The markets have priced in a no win, but there may be a relief bounce. • If it's no, Cameron's immediate goal will be reconciliation between yes and no, and to trigger the hasty timetable for extra devolution in Scotland set out by Gordon Brown. The markets have priced in a no win, but there may be a relief bounce.