'Catalogue of problems' with election results must be investigated

4.58.17pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th May 2007

Commenting on the major problems that have hit election counts across Scotland, Jo Swinson said:

"It is scandalous that there has been such a catalogue of problems with the running of the elections.

"Delays in postal votes and confusion surrounding the new ballot paper design have led to many thousands of people losing the chance to make their vote count. Errors with the electronic counting system have created an embarrassing spectacle of suspended counts and huge delays in getting the results.

"A thorough investigation will be essential to ensure that the problems we have seen with this ballot are avoided in future. Appropriate action should be taken against companies providing election services where they have not been adequately delivered. The government must also explain why the contracts with those companies have not had sufficiently robust penalty clauses to prevent these problems."