We Have Presiding Officers…Finally

The elections for Presiding Officer (PO) and for Depute Presiding Officers (DPOs) are finally over having taken most of the afternoon in parliament. Normally voting in Holyrood is very quick thanks to the electronic voting system. Just a push of a button and in 30 seconds the vote is over. Compare this to the lobby voting system at Westminster where a similar vote can take 15 – 30 minutes.

The elections of the PO and DPOs are, however, the only secret ballot in Holyrood. So rather than using the simple push of a button all the MSPs have to go to the back of the chamber, collect a ballot paper, vote. Fold the paper and put it in a ballot box. The clerks then count the ballot (with scrutineers representing each of the candidates watching). They then give the result to the Presiding Officer. This process is repeated for each round of voting. Also the two DPO positions are elected in separate ballots so it drags on again.

At the end though the new Presiding Officer is Alex Fergusson (who was eventually persuaded to stand) with Alasdair Morgan (SNP) and Trish Godman (Lab) elected as DPOs.

With this hurdle crossed its due to be Wednesday that we elect our First Minister, with the ministerial appointments expected on Thursday. At this stage it now seems that Alex Salmond will be that First Minister but its all down to that vote to settle the matter.