Polls open as public cast votes to replace late MSP in Holyrood by-election

The polls are present unfastened successful the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.

It comes pursuing the death of SNP authorities curate Christina McKelvie.

The MSP died successful March astatine the property of 57, having past twelvemonth taken aesculapian permission to acquisition attraction for secondary bosom cancer.

Ms McKelvie, the curate for drugs and intoxicant policy, had been an MSP since 2007 and represented the Central Scotland portion up to 2011 earlier going connected to service Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse.

There are 10 candidates lasting successful the Holyrood by-election:

• Collette Bradley, Scottish Socialist Party
• Andy Brady, Scottish Family Party
• Ross Lambie, Reform UK
• Katy Loudon, Scottish National Party (SNP)
• Janice MacKay, UK Independence Party (UKIP)
• Ann McGuinness, Scottish Green Party
• Aisha Mir, Scottish Liberal Democrats
• Richard Nelson, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
• Davy Russell, Scottish Labour Party
• Marc Wilkinson, Independent

The contention takes spot little than a twelvemonth earlier the Scottish parliament election, with the effect perchance offering a snapshot of however the governmental scenery northbound of the borderline volition look successful 2026.

Polls volition adjacent astatine 10pm connected Thursday, with the votes acceptable to beryllium verified and manually counted astatine South Lanarkshire Council office successful Hamilton.

Sky News volition beryllium covering the number and result.