Seòmar agus comataidhean

I thank all the witnesses who have attended in person and online for their evidence.

As the next item is to be taken in private, I call an end to the public element of the meeting.

I would like to drill down into that slightly. There was an increase in the amount of advertising about the election. You said that there was also a lot of advertising to instil confidence in the voters so that they would come out. If I was to ask you which of those two made the difference, which would you go with? Was it the fact that the advertising gave the voters the confidence to come out, or was it just the advertising that the election was happening? Or was it—and I think that this might be the case—a combination of both?

I welcome Andy O’Neill, Phil Thompson and Louise Edwards from the Electoral Commission Scotland, along with Malcolm Burr and Chris Highcock from the Electoral Management Board for Scotland. Thank you for coming along this morning, whether you are appearing in person or online.

We have quite a tight timescale today, so, when we come to committee members’ questions, we expect answers not from everybody but perhaps just from those who are best able to contribute evidence. Before we start the questioning, I invite Andy O’Neill and Malcolm Burr to give short opening statements.

Two thirds of voters had the view—“criticism” is too strong a word—that the voting process took longer. We heard about the measures that were put in place such as one-way systems, meet-and-greets and single-use pencils. What other options to make polling stations safe were considered but then discounted?

Were any ideas considered but then discounted? I know that there was the ability to hold the election over a few days, which you have explained, but was there anything else?

I welcome Louise Edwards.

Would Louise Edwards like to take that question on time limits?

Malcolm, I do not know whether you heard the question, but there are a number of surprised faces around the table.

Has any thought been given to retaining any of the additional elements that were put in place? For example, a number of people told me that they were thankful for the meet-and-greet element, because it made them feel easier about going in.

Once the witnesses have had time to consider that, it might be useful for them to write to the committee. As Bob Doris said, if there are gaps in the information, it would be useful to know that.

The turnout for the election was the highest of any Scottish Parliament election to date. Why was there that increase?