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Voting has begun in the competition to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as Scotland’s next Prime Minister.
Ballots are sent to tens of thousands of SNP members to elect the new party leader.
As the SNP is the largest party in the Scottish Parliament, whoever wins the contest will become the country’s sixth First Minister.
Just hours after voting begins, the candidates will take part in a live TV debate on Sky News – the third televised leadership campaign clash to date.
The leadership contest comes after Ms Sturgeon announced last month that she would be leaving the job she has held for more than eight years, making her the longest-serving Scottish First Minister to date.
Three candidates are in the running for the top position in Scottish politics: with Chancellor of the Exchequer Kate Forbes, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and former Community Security Minister Ash Regan all standing.
Now that Mr Yousaf has won the backing of John Swinney, the outgoing Scottish Deputy First Minister, the Scottish Health Secretary is regarded by some as the party’s favored candidate.
And while some polls have put Ms Forbes ahead of the Scottish public, it is only the SNP members who will make the choice.
SNP members will receive their ballots via email today and have until the morning of March 27 to cast their vote – the day the next leader is announced.
SNP spokesman
But the single transferable voting system used means second preferences could be key in determining the next SNP leader.
Party members are asked to rank the three candidates in order of preference, and if no candidate receives more than 50% of the first preference vote, the person in third place is eliminated.
Their second preference votes are then split between the two remaining candidates to find the winner.
The company Mi Voice, which organizes all internal SNP elections, sent emails to party members as voting opened at noon.
Paper ballots have also been sent to Members who requested them, and Members will also arrive on Monday.
Members have two weeks to cast their votes, voting closes March 27 at noon.
An SNP spokesperson said: “SNP members will receive their ballots via email today and have until the morning of March 27 to cast their vote – the day the next leader is announced.
“The voting is administered by an independent third party who will ensure that the process is free, fair and proper.”
