Highland Council’s 16‑Hour Vote Count Sparks Review Calls

The count began at 09:00 GMT on Friday and did not deliver the final regional list result until 01:20 GMT on Saturday. The council had promised constituency results by late afternoon and the regional list by early evening, but the first constituency figure – Caithness, Sutherland and Ross – only emerged at 18:50, with Inverness and Nairn following just after 20:00.

Over 1,000 staff supported the election, more than 260 of whom worked directly on the count at an Inverness sports centre. Despite the scale of effort, the process stalled repeatedly. Former Labour MSP Rhoda Grant described the day as “incredibly slow” and noted a printer error that forced staff to leave and return later. Council’s returning officer Derek Brown defended the effort, saying the council had spent the past year strengthening its “robust” mini‑count model, a method used by many Scottish authorities.

Conservative councillor Isabelle Mackenzie called the delay “shocking,” pointing out that other Scottish and UK authorities reported results promptly. She urged a review before the next local authority elections, warning against a third occurrence. Mackenzie also suggested that staffing levels might need to rise, though she dismissed geography as a factor because all ballots arrived on time for verification.

The Electoral Commission’s initial assessment found the count transparent and accurate, and it plans to publish a full report with recommendations in the autumn. The commission’s observation aligns with Brown’s claim that protecting the integrity of the count was the priority, even if it meant a longer timetable.

What it means: The delay highlights tension between procedural rigor and timely reporting. If the upcoming review recommends changes, Highland voters could see a faster count process in 2025, while the council may need to adjust staffing or technology to meet expectations.

Watch for the Electoral Commission’s autumn report and any policy adjustments announced by Highland Council before the next election cycle.