Scots should expect to go to the polls in May regardless of the coronavirus crisis, Nicola Sturgeon has insisted.
Asked about the prospect of the scheduled Scottish Parliament elections for May being delayed, the First Minister said she saw "no reason" why Scots would not be able to cast their vote.
But Ms Sturgeon said it would be a different election to what we are used to, and there could be more of a reliance on postal votes as opposed to voting in person at a polling station.
Pressed on when the new enhanced restrictions, Nicola Sturgeon said she could not give a data but repeated commitments made on Monday to vaccinate all those over 50, and those with health conditions, by May.
After being asked about the election, Nicola Sturgeon said: "I see no reason at this stage why the election would not go ahead," she said. "I think everyone would agree it's really important our democratic processes continue and elections happen.
"There have been elections in many other countries over the course of the pandemic.
"The one caveat I would add is we are in an uncertain position. Also, we just passed in the Scottish Parliament contingency legislation. This shouldn't be something that government decides, it should be a cross-party consideration.
"But I would certainly hope and expect the election will take place - it will be an election with a difference, it may have more postal voting, it may be some contingencies have to be put in place."
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The "contingency legislation" allows the presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament, Ken Macintosh, to push the vote back by up to six months if he thinks it is necessary.
It would also allow in-person voting to be scrapped completely, or to spread voting of a number of days.
