SNP members face a gruelling selection battle as 144 Nationalists race to become the party's candidate in just 32 Holyrood constituencies, the Record can reveal.
Next year's Scottish Parliament election has already seen a huge number of people declare their ambition to become an MSP for the pro-independence movement.
It comes as Nicola Sturgeon's party maintains a dominant lead in recent surveys of likely voting intentions, with the SNP widely tipped to win an outright majority of seats at Holyrood next May.
Several veteran Nationalists have also announced their intention to step down from the Scottish Parliament, causing a scramble among activists to win coveted nominations in safe constituencies.
In total there are 185 SNP members - including sitting MSPs - who are hoping to be returned at next year's election.
But there are only 36 constituencies - such as Nicola Sturgeon's seat in Glasgow Southside - where local members have already decided who their candidate will be.
A further five constituencies have only had one expression of interest from prospective SNP candidates and are likely to confirm their choice in the coming days.
That leaves a further 32 constituencies where dozens of members will face off in the battle to have their name on Nationalist campaign leaflets in the run up to polling day.
Among the high profile names is the SNP's former Westminster leader Angus Robertson, who is one of four party members hoping to become the candidate in Edinburgh Central.
Several sitting MSPs also face challenges from party activists - including well-known independence campaigner Chris McEleny, who is hoping to stand in Greenock despite the seat being held by Stuart McMillan.
Electronic ballots will open for local SNP members on October 23, with paper ballots sent to elligible members at the same time.
