The count is taking place at the Waterfront Leisure Centre in Greenock. The process is expected to get under way around 9.30am, with ballot verification. The SNP s Stuart McMillan is looking to hold on to the seat, with Labour s Francesca Brennan, LibDem Jacci Stoyle, Conservative Caroline Hollins and independent John Burleigh the other candidates for MSP. Council officials hope to be in a position to make a declaration around 4pm, but this is an approximate time which could change. The regional vote count will begin afterwards, and it s hoped this will be complete and announced by 7pm. If it runs significantly later than that then the count could be held over and continued on Saturday.
THE SNP S Stuart McMillan has been re-elected as Inverclyde s MSP. The declaration has just been announced at the Waterfront Leisure Centre in Greenock and Mr McMillan topped the poll with 19,713 votes. Labour s Francesca Brennan was second with 11,539. Conservative candidate Caroline Hollins polled 3,313 votes, LibDem Jacci Stoyle took 1,033 and John Burleigh, the independent candidate, picked up 776. The turnout was 63.59 per cent, up on the 57.7 per cent figure from five years ago. The total number of votes cast was 36,490.