Scotland votes May 5 to elect 129 MSPs as polls suggest SNP on course for third term

Scotland heads to the polls on Thursday, May 5 to elect all 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament, a vote that will set the direction of the next term. Polls indicate the Scottish National Party is on course for a third term, though the final outcome will be determined by votes cast across constituencies and regions.

Under the voting system, 73 MSPs are elected in constituencies, while 56 additional “top‑up” MSPs are chosen through the regional list system. The mix is designed to reflect support both locally and across wider areas. At the last election, 69 SNP MSPs were returned, with 37 for Labour, 15 for the Tories, 5 for the Lib Dems and 2 for the Greens.

The SNP have governed as a majority ever since. Thursday’s vote will decide the make‑up of the next parliament and which party or parties will seek to form the government for the coming term.