Scottish Parliamentary Election & Referendum Information from North Lanarkshire Council

Ahead of the Election and Referendum vote, North Lanarkshire Council have prepared some useful information:

On Thursday 5 May 2011 elections will be held for the Scottish Parliament. There will also be a referendum on the voting system used to elect MPs to the House of Commons

How do I vote in the Scottish Parliamentary election?

You will receive two ballot papers. There will be a lilac coloured ballot paper to elect your constituency member and a peach coloured ballot paper to elect your regional members.

Use the lilac ballot paper to vote for a candidate to represent your constituency. To vote, mark a cross (X) in the box opposite the name of one candidate. The candidate with the most votes wins.

Use the peach ballot paper to vote for a party or individual candidate to represent your region. To vote, mark a cross (X) in the box opposite the name of one party or individual candidate. In each region, parties and individual candidates win seats based on:

•the number of votes they receive in this regional ballot, and
•the number of constituency seats that parties win in the region.

How do I vote in the Referendum?

A referendum asks you to vote yes or no to a proposal. For this referendum, you will receive a ballot paper with this question:

•At present, the UK uses the 'first past the post' system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the 'alternative vote' system be used instead?
You show your choice by putting a cross (X) in the 'Yes' or 'No' box on your ballot paper.

Put a cross in only one box or your vote will not be counted.

If more people vote 'yes' than 'no', the 'alternative vote' system will be used for future elections to the House of Commons.

If more people vote 'no' than 'yes', the 'first past the post' system will continue to be used.

Information campaign

The Electoral Commission will send an information leaflet to every household in the UK explaining more about the elections taking place on 5 May and the referendum. There will also be a multi-media advertising campaign.

Useful links


North Lanarkshire Council Election Page

Electoral Registration

Constituency Ballot Paper

Regional Ballot Paper

Electoral Commission Leaflet