The Scottish Parliament election is running smoothly in the city so far according to Edinburgh’s top elections boss.
And with eyes on the ground in Edinburgh Central and Edinburgh South Western in the early afternoon, the election appeared to be running efficiently.
Queues were short at many polling places, and voters seemed able to cast their ballots quickly.
Returning officer Paul Lawrence said the city had seen people getting out to cast their votes – and stressed residents to get there before polls close at 10pm.
He added: “If you still have a postal ballot to return you can do this at any of our polling places or at the City Chambers until 10pm.”
At one polling station, most people leaving had smiles on their faces, strutting down the steps with confidence.
Outside, one voter who had cast her ballot just after noontime mounted one of the city’s bright orange rideshare bikes.
The company operating the scheme, Voi, is giving out two free 15 minute rides today to help people reach their polling places.
She said she was grateful for the free ride, and that it beat walking.
Another voter, at a polling place further south in the same constituency, arrived on a green motorised scooter, with some shopping in the basket.
Taking advantage of the short queues in the early afternoon, he quickly dashed in to cast his ballot, then continued on his journey.
Though queues were short earlier in the day, this evening will likely be busier, as many workers become free for the day and make their way to cast their ballots.
Voting stops at 10pm, but results may take a while to start flowing – for the first time, the election for the Scottish Parliament is being counted in the daytime rather than overnight.
It means vote counting will start from 9am on Friday, rather than tonight – though ballots will still start flowing to the Royal Highland Centre, where the count happens, once polls close.
For Edinburgh, declarations for individual seats are estimated to come in the early afternoon on Friday, while results for the Lothian region list are estimated for the mid evening.
But snags like recounts and contested ballots could drag the process on later.
By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter
