Further to the announcement in yesterday’s Business Bulletin, elections for membership of the SPCB will take place this afternoon. The nomination period will open at 9.30am this morning and close at 1.30pm.

Nominations must be submitted on official nomination forms. These will be available to collect from the Parliamentary Business Team in T1.03, after 9.30am. Completed forms must be returned there by 1.30pm.

The voting procedure is below.

Where the number of candidates is equal to the number of vacancies:

The Presiding Officer will invite members to agree that there be a single vote to elect all the candidates. If all members agree that there should be a single vote, the Presiding Officer will read out the names of the candidates. After all the names are read out, members may vote for or against the candidates, or abstain. The candidates will be elected if there is a simple majority of votes in favour of their election. The candidates will be eliminated from the election if a simple majority of votes in favour of their election is not obtained.

If any member disagrees to a single question being put, a separate vote will be called for each candidate in alphabetical order. Members may vote for or against each candidate, or abstain. The candidate will be elected if he or she obtains a simple majority of votes in his or her favour.

Where there are more candidates than the number of vacancies:

Members will be asked to cast their vote for their preferred candidate. A separate vote will be called for each candidate in alphabetical order. Members must vote once only and only use their “yes” button when voting. If any Member casts more than one vote, their votes will be treated as spoiled, and none of their votes will count. Any member wishing to record an abstention will have an opportunity to do so at the end of voting for the candidates.

Once all voting has been completed, there will be a short delay of a few minutes while the result is verified. The Presiding Officer will then announce: the number of votes cast; the votes for each of the candidates; and the votes to abstain. A candidate will be elected if an overall majority is obtained. If no majority is obtained, the candidate or candidates with the smallest number of votes will be eliminated and a further round or rounds of voting will take place until the vacancy is filled.

Where there are fewer candidates than the number of vacancies:

Voting will proceed in the same manner as if the number of candidates is equal to the number of vacancies. Under Rule 11.10A.19 of Standing Orders, the Presiding Officer will announce that the total number of vacancies has not been filled and a further election for the remaining candidates will be held. The date and time will be announced in the Business Bulletin.

Chamber business

Committee business

2.30pm

Parliamentary Bureau Motions
Appointment of Scottish Ministers and Junior Scottish Ministers
Election of Members to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
Presiding Officer's Proposals for the Parliamentary Week
Parliamentary Bureau Motions

1. Tom Arthur (S7M-00106)

Business Motion

That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business—
Tuesday 26 May 2026
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by First Minister’s Statement: Ambitious for Scotland
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Ambitious for Scotland
followed by Committee Announcements
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
Wednesday 27 May 2026
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Ministerial Statement: First Homes Fund
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Expanding Childcare
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
Thursday 28 May 2026
12.00 pm First Minister's Questions
2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Debate: It’s Scotland’s Energy
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time

Further details available for S7M-00106

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Thursday 21 May 2026

Business Bulletin

Chamber business

Committee business

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Appointment of Scottish Ministers and Junior Scottish Ministers

Election of Members to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Presiding Officer's Proposals for the Parliamentary Week