A draft bill on next year’s Holyrood election includes the option of an all-postal vote.
Proposals also include allowing polling to take place on more than one day, as well as giving the Presiding Officer the power to postpone the election.
The next election is scheduled for May 6th, but fears exist about the impact of coronavirus.
Traditional elections are marked by door-to-door campaigning and in-person voting, both of which could risk the spread of covid.
A draft set of proposals has not been published yet by the Government, but there have been private discussions at Holyrood.
One section of the draft Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill relates to the “power to provide for all-postal vote”.
It says: “The Scottish Ministers may by regulations provide that the poll at the 2021 election is to be held solely by means of postal voting.”
Holyrood sources said there would not be time for an all-postal vote in May, adding that it would be an option in the context of a delayed election.
However, insiders said there is no appetite for delaying the election.
Another part of the draft Bill would allow voting to take place or more than one specified day.
It also says of possible postponement: “If the Presiding Officer considers it necessary or appropriate for any reason to do so, the Presiding Officer may fix a day that is after 6 May 2021 for the holding of the poll for the 2021 election.”
Labour MSP Alex Rowley said: “The pandemic has had far-reaching implications over the work of the Scottish Parliament, but it is vital that the democratic process is protected. To this end, Scottish Labour is ready and willing to work with all other parties to ensure that the vote can proceed next year in as safe and proper manner as possible.
“I would encourage the people of Scotland to register for a postal vote if they have any concerns over visiting a polling station in person.”
A Scottish Conservative spokesman said:
“The Scottish Conservatives continue to prepare for an election happening in May as planned.”
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said: “There is next to no chance that we’d be ready for a 100% postal election by May. It needs a good 18 months to prepare with all the authorisations necessary for a safe and secure election.
"Even then some people will just object in principle to voting by post. What we should be aiming for is around 40% postal voting and people should register now rather than leaving it until close to the election. This is a massive logistical exercise that could go badly wrong.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “As previously announced we intend to introduce a Bill, developed in partnership with the Electoral Management Board, the Electoral Commission, the Scottish Parliament and other political parties, which includes measures to help ensure polling can go ahead and that voters will be able to vote safely in person in May as planned.
“The Bill will contain contingency measures to ensure virus conditions can be taken into account in ensuring the safe delivery of the election.”
