Timetable
Scottish Parliamentary Election - 6 May 2021
The days which are disregarded in calculating the timetable are Saturday, Sunday, bank holidays and any day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.
Please be aware that the timetable may change in the event of days being appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning.
This timetable has been developed based on the legislation as it currently stands and so it may be subject to change. We will update and re-publish the timetable as appropriate if further legislation is made.
| Event | Date (deadline if not midnight) | Working days before poll (deadline if not midnight) |
|---|---|---|
| Publication of notice of election | Between Monday 15 March and Wednesday 24 March | Not later than 28 days and not earlier than 35 days |
| Delivery of nomination papers | Not later than 4pm on any working day after publication of notice of election until 4pm on Wednesday 31 March | From the day after the publication of the notice of election until the 23rd day (4pm) |
| Deadline for delivery of nomination papers | 4pm on Wednesday 31 March | 23 days (4pm) |
| Deadline for withdrawals of nomination | 4pm on Wednesday 31 March | 23 days (4pm) |
|
Making objections to nomination papers |
Objections can only be made on Wednesday 31 March (until 5pm). Until 12 noon on Wednesday 31 March objections can be made to all delivered nominations Between 12 noon and 5pm on Wednesday 31 March objections can only be made to nominations delivered after 4pm on Tuesday 30 March |
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 |
| Deadline for the notification of appointment of election agent | 4pm on Wednesday 31 March | 23 days (4pm) |
| Publication of statement of persons nominated, including notice of poll and situation of polling stations |
If no objections: at 5pm on Wednesday 31 March Objection(s) made: not before objection(s) are disposed of but not later than 4pm on Thursday 1 April |
If no objections: on 23 days (at 5pm) 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 |
| Publication of first interim election notice of alteration | Thursday 1 April | 23 days (Calculated in accordance with RPA 1983) |
| Deadline for receiving new postal vote and postal proxy applications, and for changes to existing postal or proxy votes | 5pm on Tuesday 6 April | *21 days (5pm) |
| Deadline for receiving applications for registration | Monday 19 April | 12 days |
| Deadline to cancel postal or postal proxy votes | Tuesday 20 April 2021 | 11 days |
| Deadline for receiving new applications to vote by proxy (not postal proxy or emergency proxies) | 5pm on Tuesday 27 April | 6 days (5pm) |
| Publication of second interim election notice of alteration | Between Thursday 1 April and Tuesday 27 April (inclusive) | Between 22 days and 6 days |
| Publication of final election notice of alteration | Wednesday 28 April | 5 days |
| Deadline for notification of appointment of polling and counting agents | Wednesday 28 April | 5 days |
| Deadline for notification of appointment of sub-agents | Tuesday 4 May | 2 days |
| Polling day | 7am to 10pm on Thursday 6 May | 0 (7am to 10pm) |
| Last time for re-issue of spoilt postal votes | 10pm on Thursday 6 May | 0 (10pm) |
| Deadline for emergency proxy applications | 5pm on Thursday 6 May | 0 (5pm) |
| Last time to alter the register due to clerical error or court appeal | 9pm on Thursday 6 May | 0 (9pm) |