The Scottish Parliamentary Elections are due to be held on Thursday 7 May 2026.
There are 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP’s). If you live in Scotland, you are represented by eight MSP’s – one represents your constituency and the other seven all represent your region.
For this election, voters will be issued with 2 ballot papers.
On the lilac-coloured ballot paper electors will vote for the constituency MSP by placing a (X) in the box next to their choice of candidate. On the peach-coloured ballot paper electors will vote for a party or independent candidate competing for one of the seven regional seats by placing a (X) in the box next to their choice of party or independent candidate.
The days which are disregarded in calculating the timetable are Saturday, Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, other bank holidays and any day appointed for public thanksgiving or morning.
Please be aware that the timetable may change in the event of days being appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.
Event
Working days before poll (deadline if not midnight)
Date (deadline if not midnight)
Publication of notice of election
Not later than 28 days and not earlier than 35 days
Monday 16 March 2026
Delivery of nomination papers
From the day after the publication of the notice of election until the 23rd day (4pm)
On any working day between the hours of 10am and 4pm from Tuesday 17 March 2026
Deadline for delivery of nomination papers
23 days
4pm on Wednesday 1 April 2026
Deadline for withdrawals of nomination
23 days
4pm on Wednesday 1 April 2026
Making objections to nomination papers
During the hours allowed for delivery of nomination papers on the last day for their delivery and the hour following.
No objection may be made in the afternoon of the last day except to a nomination paper delivered within 24 hours of the last time for its delivery
Objections can only be made until 5pm on Wednesday 1 April 2026
Until 12 noon on Wednesday 1 April objections can be made to all delivered nominations
Between 12 noon and 5pm on Wednesday 1 April objections can only be made to nominations delivered after 4pm on Tuesday 31 March 2026
Deadline for the notification of appointment of election agent
23 days
4pm on Wednesday 1 April 2026
Publication of statement of persons nominated, including notice of poll and situation of polling stations
If no objections: on 23 days
If objection(s) are made: Not before objection(s) are disposed of but not later than 24 hours after the last time for delivery of nomination papers
If no objections; at 5pm on Wednesday 1 April 2026
Objection(s) made; not before objection(s) are disposed of but not later than 4pm on Thursday 2 April 2026
Publication of first interim election notice of alteration
23 days
Wednesday 1 April 2026
Publication of second interim election notice of alteration
Between 22 days and 6 days
Friday 10 April 2026
Deadline for receiving applications for registration
12 days
Monday 20 April 2026
Deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications, and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes
11 days
5pm on Tuesday 21 April 2026
Deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies)
6 days
5pm on Tuesday 28 April 2026
Publication of final election notice of alteration
5 days
Wednesday 29 April 2026
Deadline for notification of appointment of polling and counting agents
5 days
Wednesday 29 April 2026
Deadline for notification of appointment of sub-agents
2 days
Tuesday 5 May 2026
Polling day
0 (7am to 10pm)
Thursday 7 May 2026
Last time for re-issue of spoilt postal votes
0
5pm on Thursday 7 May 2026
Deadline for emergency proxy applications
0
5pm on Thursday 7 May 2026
Last time to alter the register due to clerical error or court appeal
0
9pm on Thursday 7 May 2026
If you are currently registered to vote as at 6 February 2026 your poll card will be issued around Tuesday 17 March 2026 and this will confirm where you will need to go to vote.
New electors
Depending on when you register to vote will determine when your poll card will be issued.
If you live in the Fife local government area, you can enter your postcode in the search function to find your polling place.
The counting of votes cast will be undertaken on the morning of Friday 8 May 2026 commencing at 9am. The constituency and regional results will be published after the completion of the count.
The Fife Constituency Returning Officer is responsible for the administration of the elections in the following Scottish Parliament constituencies:
Cowdenbeath
Dunfermline
Fife North East
Kirkcaldy
Mid Fife and Glenrothes
All constituencies are in the Mid Scotland and Fife electoral region.
The Returning Officer in Fife is also the Regional Returning Officer for the Mid Fife and Scotland Region.
The counting of votes cast will take place on the morning of Friday 8 May 2026.
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