Plenary, 29 Nov 2001
Meeting date: Thursday, November 29, 2001
Official Report
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Deputy Presiding Officer
We will settle down to the election. I have received two valid nominations for the position of Deputy Presiding Officer. In alphabetical order, they are Cathy Peattie—who was nominated by Janis Hughes and Mr Kenneth Macintosh—and Mr Murray Tosh, who was nominated by Michael Russell and Tavish Scott.
The election will proceed in accordance with rule 11.9 of the standing orders. Members should wait in their seats until I indicate to them that they should collect their ballot papers from the back of the chamber. Two tables have been set aside for that purpose. The table on my left should be used by members whose surnames begin with the letters A to M, but not Mc or Mac. [Laughter.] I queried that, but it is simply to keep the numbers even. The table on the right should be used by members whose surnames begin with Mc, Mac or the letters N to Z. I hope that that is clear.
Members should give their names to the clerk, who will hand them a ballot paper. They should then proceed to one of the two voting booths, where they should vote by marking an X on the ballot paper. Before they return to their seats, members should put their folded ballot papers in the ballot box, which will be situated in the well of the chamber.
Each candidate may nominate one scrutineer to monitor counting of the votes. I ask the candidates to ensure that the name of the scrutineer is notified to the clerks at the tables at the back of the chamber when they collect their ballot papers. I will announce the names of the scrutineers and invite them to the vote-counting table in the well of the chamber at the end of the voting period. The clerks will count the votes on the table and in full view of members.
The period for the election of Deputy Presiding Officer is now open. Will members, starting from the front benches, proceed to the back to collect their ballot papers?
Members voted by secret ballot.
I will allow any members who have not voted one more minute to do so. Has everyone voted?
Yes.
I ask Kenneth Macintosh and Alex Fergusson to come to the well of the chamber to scrutinise the counting of the ballot papers. The counting will begin now.
For the record, I did not think it right to cast my vote in this election.
The number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows:
Cathy Peattie 45
Murray Tosh 68
Abstentions 1
Accordingly, because Mr Murray Tosh received more votes than the total number of votes received by the other candidate and, as more than 25 per cent of members voted, Mr Murray Tosh is elected as a Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. [Applause.]
Meeting suspended until 14:30.
On resuming—
Before we begin question time, I am sure that members will join me in welcoming to our proceedings the right hon Peter Ala Adjetey, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana. [Applause.]