Scotland result ‘on a knife-edge’ on eve of general election

There are 4,081,585 registered voters in Scotland. About a quarter of them – 998,863 – are postal voters.

Yet concerns have been raised about Scots receiving their postal ballots in time.

The 4 July election falls in the first full week of the school summer holidays in most parts of Scotland, with delays in receiving postal votes resulting in some Scots being left without a vote due to pre-planned overseas holidays.

In a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, First Minister John Swinney said the issues had been caused by a combination of Mr Sunak’s decision to hold the vote on an “unsuitable date”, and the timetable for elections leaving “little room” to address issues.

On Monday, Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman told reporters the prime minister did not share Mr Swinney’s concerns, adding that the UK government was working with the Electoral Commission, elections officials and the Royal Mail to resolve any issues.

UK Postal Affairs Minister Kevin Hollinrake is said to be “urgently investigating” the issue, but Royal Mail has rejected claims there is a backlog, saying the service is “not complacent”.