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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Laura Ferguson

Scottish election 2021: How to vote if you test positive for covid on polling day

Polling day is here for the Scottish Parliament elections and Scots across the country are making plans to vote - or have already cast their ballots.

However, the coronavirus pandemic has meant we have seen a very different type of election campaign from the political parties. With social distancing measures in place and a 48-hour wait in place before we get the results, it's set to be a very different election experience.

One key question the pandemic has raised has been the question of what steps to take if you test positive for covid on polling day and are unable to cast your vote in person.

Scottish Government rules state that anyone who contracts the virus or has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, must self-isolate for 10 days.

If this happens to you on polling day, then you can apply for an emergency proxy vote up until 5pm.

A joint statement from the Scottish Government, UK Government and Welsh Government released in March prior to the upcoming elections reads: "We remain absolutely clear that anyone who has tested positive for coronavirus, or who is displaying symptoms, should self-isolate.

"The UK Government, Scottish Government and Welsh Government have each put in place new rules to allow for emergency proxy voting leading up to polling day and until 5pm on the day itself. This will mean that voters who are self-isolating due to coronavirus exposure, testing or symptoms can still have their say in these elections without having to leave their home."

Those who have to apply for an emergency proxy vote if they are self-isolating can do so on the Electoral Commission website here. You will be asked to fill out a form, where you can also change your nominated proxy if they are self-isolating.

Follow our live blog for all the latest on the Scottish Parliament election polling day.

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