Guidance for Returning Officers administering a Scottish Parliament election

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Returning Officer

Questions and answers about our web based guidance - Scotland and Wales (PDF)

Planning for the election

Absent voters list request form - candidates (DOCX)
Briefing for candidates and agents Scottish Parliament election constituency contest (PPTX)
Briefing for candidates and agents Scottish Parliament election - regional contest (PPTX)
Checklist for polling station inspectors in Scotland and Wales (DOCX)
Close of poll packing instructions (DOCX)
Election timetable 7 May 2026 - SP (DOCX)
FAQs for frontline staff Scottish Parliament election (DOCX)
Forensic Science Service guidance on signature checking (Generic) (PDF)
Generic timetable Scottish Parliament election
Guidance on preventing and detecting electoral fraud in Scotland (PDF)
Nomination pack Scottish Parliament election for constituency candidates (for use on or after 7 May 2026)(DOCX)
Nomination pack Scottish Parliament election for regional party list (for use on or after 7 May 2026) (DOCX)
Nomination pack Scottish Parliament election for regional individual candidates (for use on or after 7 May 2026)(DOCX)
Polling station handbook - Scottish Parliament elections (PDF)
Polling station quick guide for Scottish Parliament election (PDF)
Polling station scenarios Scottish Parliament election (DOCX)
Polling station quiz Scottish Parliament election (DOCX)
Polling station staff briefing Scottish Parliament election (PPTX)
Project Plan - Scottish Parliament elections
Quality Assurance Guidance for ROs (Generic) (PDF)
Register request form - candidates (DOCX)
Risk Register Generic (excl UKPGE and SLG)(XLSX)
Secrecy requirements the poll Scottish Parliament Election (DOCX)
Secrecy requirements postal voting Scottish Parliament Election (DOCX)
Secrecy requirements the count Scottish Parliament Election (DOCX)
Tips on managing the media at the count (Generic) (DOCX)

Starting the election timetable

Election timetable 7 May 2026 - SP (DOCX)
Notice of election Scottish Parliament election constituency (DOCX)
Notice of election Scottish Parliament regional election (DOCX)

Nominations

Nomination checklist Scottish Parliament election constituency nominations (for use at polls taking place on or after 7 May 2026)(DOCX)
Nomination checklist Scottish Parliament election regional nominations (for use at polls taking place on or after 7 May 2026)(DOCX)
Nomination pack Scottish Parliament election for constituency candidates (for use on or after 7 May 2026)(DOCX)
Nomination pack Scottish Parliament election for regional party list (for use on or after 7 May 2026) (DOCX)
Nomination pack Scottish Parliament election for regional individual candidates (for use on or after 7 May 2026)(DOCX)
Notice of poll, statement of persons nominated and situation of polling stations Scottish Parliament constituency election (DOCX)
Notice of poll and statement of persons and parties nominated Scottish Parliament regional election (DOCX)
Quality Assurance Guidance for ROs (Generic) (PDF)
Withdrawal form Scottish Parliament constituency election (DOCX)
Withdrawal form Scottish Parliament regional election withdrawing a full party list (DOCX)
Withdrawal form Scottish Parliament regional party list for use by the party's NO or candidate (DOCX)
Withdrawal form Scottish Parliament regional individual candidates not on a regional party list (DOCX)

The below resources are intended to complement your briefings and written support to candidates and agents. You may share these links with prospective candidates and agents in your area as your see fit.

Completing your nomination papers | Guidance for Scottish Parliament constituency candidates
Completing your nomination papers | Guidance for Scottish Parliament regional individual candidates
Completing the nomination papers | Guidance for Scottish Parliament party list nominating officers

Agents

Nomination pack Scottish Parliament election for constituency candidates (for use on or after 7 May 2026)(DOCX)
Nomination pack Scottish Parliament election for regional party list (for use on or after 7 May 2026) (DOCX)
Nomination pack Scottish Parliament election for regional individual candidates (for use on or after 7 May 2026)(DOCX)
Postal voting agent appointment form (DOCX)
Polling agent appointment form (SP Constituency) (DOCX)
Polling agent appointment form (SP Regional Individual) (DOCX)
Polling agent appointment form (SP Regional Party List) (DOCX)
Counting agent appointment form (SP Constituency) (DOCX)
Counting agent appointment form (SP Regional individual) (DOCX)
Counting agent appointment form (SP Regional Party List) (DOCX)
Secrecy requirements the count Scottish Parliament Election (DOCX)
Secrecy requirements postal voting Scottish Parliament Election (DOCX)
Secrecy requirements the poll Scottish Parliament Election (DOCX)

Absent voting

Election timetable 7 May 2026 - SP (DOCX)
FAQs for postal vote rejection notices (DOCX)
Forensic Science Service guidance on signature checking (Generic) (PDF)
Postal vote issuing flowchart (DOCX)
Postal vote matching spreadsheet (XLSX)
Postal vote opening flowchart generic (not Senedd) (DOCX)
Postal vote retrieval flowchart (DOCX)
Postal voting ballot paper account generic (DOCX)
Secrecy requirements postal voting Scottish Parliament Election (DOCX)

Polling station voting

Ask me for help stickers and posters (ZIP)
Checklist for polling station inspectors in Scotland and Wales (DOCX)
Close of poll packing instructions (DOCX)
Declaration for the companion of a voter with disabilities Scottish Parliament (DOCX)
Log to record details of postal voters who claim not to have applied for a postal vote (DOCX)
Observer access restrictions log (DOCX)
Personation advice for Presiding Officers - no VID (DOCX)
Polling station staff briefing Scottish Parliament election (PPTX)
Polling station handbook - Scottish Parliament elections (PDF)
Polling station quick guide for Scottish Parliament election (PDF)
Secrecy requirements the poll Scottish Parliament Election (DOCX)
Tellers guidance SP SLG Senedd LGW (PDF)
Tellers dos and don'ts SP SLG Senedd LGW (PDF)

Verification and count

Checklist when dealing with ballot box variances (DOCX)
Doubtful ballot paper booklet Scottish Parliament (DOCX)
Doubtful ballot paper placemat Scottish Parliament constituency election (PDF)
Doubtful ballot paper placemat Scottish Parliament regional election (PDF)
Secrecy requirements the count Scottish Parliament Election (DOCX)
Tips on managing the media at the count (Generic) (DOCX)

After the election

Access supply and inspection checklist SP SLG Senedd LGW (DOCX)
User guide for post poll data collection May 2026 (DOCX)
2026 election data to be collected (XLSX)
Diweddarwyd ddiwethaf: 9 Ebrill 2026