This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6663929.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Disparity in spoilt ballot papers Disparity in spoilt ballot papers
(1 day later)
The number of spoilt ballot papers in Scotland's council elections was far fewer than in the parliamentary vote, BBC Scotland can reveal.The number of spoilt ballot papers in Scotland's council elections was far fewer than in the parliamentary vote, BBC Scotland can reveal.
Figures show that about 45,700 local government votes were rejected compared to 140,000 in the Holyrood poll.Figures show that about 45,700 local government votes were rejected compared to 140,000 in the Holyrood poll.
The figures boost critics' claims that the parliament ballot paper confused voters.The figures boost critics' claims that the parliament ballot paper confused voters.
They say having both the constituency and list MSP votes on the same sheet led to the rise in spoilt ballots.They say having both the constituency and list MSP votes on the same sheet led to the rise in spoilt ballots.
Newsnight Scotland found that the number of rejected council votes was also higher than in previous years but the figure was still 100,000 less than the parliament election. The BBC's Newsnight Scotland programme found that the number of rejected council votes was also higher than in previous years but the figure was still 100,000 less than the parliament election.
The new council voting system used numbers instead of crosses so people could use their new single transferable vote.The new council voting system used numbers instead of crosses so people could use their new single transferable vote.
Rejected ballotsRejected ballots
The Holyrood vote used a different system of proportional representation - the additional member system - using two crosses.The Holyrood vote used a different system of proportional representation - the additional member system - using two crosses.
The two systems involved the same people voting at the same time and the votes were counted or rejected by the same machines.The two systems involved the same people voting at the same time and the votes were counted or rejected by the same machines.
The figures suggest that voters seemed to understand the new system for the councils much better than the existing system, for Holyrood.The figures suggest that voters seemed to understand the new system for the councils much better than the existing system, for Holyrood.
The new figures show that the total of rejected ballots across both elections now stand at 187,578.The new figures show that the total of rejected ballots across both elections now stand at 187,578.
This is more than in the infamous presidential election in Florida when fewer than 180,000 ballots were rejected.This is more than in the infamous presidential election in Florida when fewer than 180,000 ballots were rejected.