Use your vote on 7 May

1) Check where you should vote. You should already have been sent a poll card telling you where your polling station is. If you lose it or don't receive it, you can find your polling station by typing in your postcode at electoralcommission.org.uk/voter or by contacting the election office helpline on 01563 576555. Polling stations will be open from 7am - 10pm.

2) Bring your poll card with you to the polling station as it will speed things up. But don't worry if you don't have it; you can still vote without it.

3) Voter ID is not required for this election.

4) In this election, you will complete two ballot papers. With the first vote, you will choose between candidates standing for election in your constituency by putting a cross [X] next to your choice. Then, you will cast a second vote to choose a political party or independent candidate to represent your region. You put a cross [X] in the box next to your choice of political party or independent candidate.

5) If you're unsure of how to complete your ballot papers, there are instructions on the ballot paper, within the polling booths, or a member of staff will be able to help you. If you make a mistake on your ballot papers, you can ask for a new one.

6) When you have completed both ballot papers, fold them, show the back of the papers to staff and then pop them in the correct ballot box marked in the same colour as the ballot paper.

7) If you have a postal vote but have left it too late to post back, you can drop it off at any polling station within the constituency before 10pm on the day of the election.

All polling stations are fully accessible. Staff are trained and have access to equipment to help disabled electors to vote in secret or with the assistance of polling station staff. Disabled electors can also bring a companion to assist them to vote at a polling station.

Eddie Fraser, Constituency Returning Officer, said: "Make sure you vote on 7th May for the people who will represent you in the Scottish Parliament and make decisions around key areas such as health, education and economic development.

"We're hoping for a good turnout at the election and I'm sure that people will find the arrangements to allow them to cast their votes easy, safe and efficient."

For more information on voting and the Scottish Parliament election, visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter

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