SCOTTISH Labour members fear an online voting software has been used to block left-wing candidates from standing as MSPs.
Anonyvoter, a controversial computer voting programme involved in a Met police fraud probe, is used by the party alongside traditional in-person and postal voting.
But The Sunday Mail reports there are concerns it is being rigged following a selection for the Dundee West constituency.
Earlier this month, Scottish Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba – who is considered more left-wing – lost out to Michael Marra, who is often seen as party leader Anas Sarwar’s right-hand man and potential successor.
Villalba won the vote in the room but lost out after online votes through Anonyvoter were taken into account.
It comes amid concerns over the past few years that the Labour leadership have actively been purging the party of its left-wing members and politicians.
The Sunday Mail reports that several members have contacted the party with concerns.
One said: “I emailed our local branch secretary last month as I was concerned about the fact we were having to use Anonyvoter but I didn’t get any reply.
“I know someone else who also contacted the party’s leadership team directly and was told that there had been no problem with Anonyvoter in Scotland and it was being used here. End of discussion.
“People are very sceptical of the system and don’t understand why we are still using it when there were such problems before.”
Another member added: “I’m worried that what we saw for the Westminster selections is now going to happen for the Holyrood ones. It seems to be already happening - just look at the situation in Dundee.”
A former Labour staffer, meanwhile, told the newspaper: “I can say that in standard parliamentary selections, ballot counting is carried out by staff but with clear oversight from CLP officials to ensure transparency and trust in the process.
“With Anonyvoter, that critical layer of local oversight is simply missing. We’ve already seen serious concerns raised about its accuracy and flaws, most notably in Croydon where the situation escalated to the point of police involvement.”
Anonyvoter has previously insisted that its software was unrelated to the incident in Croydon and said Labour's database was to blame
A Scottish Labour spokesman said: “We have full confidence in the integrity of both selection processes and the use of Anonyvoter.
“Labour candidates are selected by the votes of local members who select the person they believe should represent them.
“All selections are carried out in line with rules and procedures agreed and overseen by Scottish Labour’s Executive Committee.”
