Greens issue new Holyrood candidate list after 'software error'

BBC News

23-07-2025

The Scottish Greens have had to issue a revised set of candidate lists for next year's Holyrood election after an error was discovered in how selection votes were counted. The results, originally announced on Monday, sparked a row with members which saw the party's internal election officer resign. The new lists have the same candidates in the top positions, with most of the party's MSPs securing key places which give them an easier path to re-election. However there are changes further down the Edinburgh and Lothian East and South Scotland lists, with some members being moved up and down the rankings.
Under the electoral system for Holyrood, the regional list vote involves parties ranking their candidates.The higher an individual appears on the list, the better their chance is of becoming an MSP.Questions had been raised by party members regarding a number of the internal results.They include that of the Scottish Greens' current co-leader Patrick Harvie, and North East MSP Maggie Chapman who failed to secure top spot in her election.The party has now blamed a "software error" at the external company used to process the votes.Mi-Voice has apologised for the "inconvenience and concern" caused by the third-party software it used to count votes.
A Scottish Greens spokesperson party officials were assured on Monday afternoon that the counting "had been completed and confirmed to meet the standards requested under our internal party rules".But following further investigation the software error was detected in an external programme used to count votes. The party said was first made aware of this on Tuesday morning.The spokesperson added: "Party officials were not aware of this error at the time of previous statements, and had been reassured by the third-party provider on Monday afternoon that all counting had been completed and verified."Following a full revised count with oversight and verification from current party officials and those involved in previous Holyrood selections, we can confirm our full list of candidates for the Holyrood 2026 campaign. "All of the previously announced 15 lead candidates remain duly selected and will continue to lead the party's campaign to elect a record number of MSPs."The party acknowledged it had been a "stressful process" for candidates and members and thanked them for their "vigilance, patience and trust".
Mi-Voice 'sincerely apologise' for anomalies
Simon Thomson, director of Mi-Voice, said a review triggered by concerned party officials identified a "technical fault" with the vote counting software.Mr Thomson said the party was notified at 10:00 on Tuesday and the issue was reported to the software vendor.He also confirmed the updated candidate lists then underwent "additional manual validation" to ensure they represented "the final and accurate outcome". Mr Thomson said: "We acknowledge the concern this has raised for party members and candidates. "We understand the frustration and confusion, and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and concern it has caused."
On Tuesday, Kate Joester, who was the party's internal elections officer, said she had not spotted the issue when the figures were first sent to her.She initially endorsed a statement from the party reassuring campaigners that there were "no realistic doubts" about the outcomes.But after quitting her post Joester said she should not have given her backing amid concerns about how some votes were cast.