HOLYROOD VOTE IN CHAOS

It is estimated that more than 100,000 votes across the country may have to be discounted because they were classed as being spoiled ballots.

In Glasgow Shettleston alone there were 2,035 spoiled ballots and most constituencies saw at least 1,000 papers rejected.

Problems with the new electronic counting system, being used for the first time in Scotland, also meant several counts were suspended until much later in the day.

Counting for the Strathkelvin and Bearsden seat, which was won last time by hospital campaigner Dr Jean Turner, was suspended and is due to resume at noon.

Meanwhile in Edinburgh computer problems hit the counting process. These led to election officials agreeing to count the votes for two of the seats - Edinburgh Central and Edinburgh Pentlands - before suspending the process and counting the votes for the other four constituencies later in the day.

These issues came after delays had hit the delivery of postal ballots.

In addition to that, the count in the Western Isles was delayed after the helicopter that had been scheduled to collect ballot boxes was fogbound, requiring the boxes to be transported by ferry.

Opposition parties said the situation was a disaster, with SNP campaign director Angus Robertson raising fears that it would affect confidence in the system.