Meeting of the Parliament 14 May 2026 [Draft]
As previously announced, I have received four valid nominations. In alphabetical order, the nominees are: Kenneth Gibson, Clare Haughey, Liam McArthur and Stuart McMillan.
The election shall proceed in accordance with rule 11.9 of standing orders. If no member receives an overall majority in the first round of voting, there will be subsequent rounds. Members should remain in their seats until I invite them to collect their ballot paper from clerks at the back of the chamber. Members with surnames beginning with the letters A to F should collect their ballot papers from the desk on my left at the back of the chamber—the clerks there have their hands up. Members with surnames beginning with the letters G to M should use the desk at the back of the chamber—the clerks there have their hands up. Members with surnames beginning with McA to Z should use the desk to the right at the back of the chamber, as indicated. Members should confirm their name with the clerks before they are issued with their ballot paper. To give members’ privacy when marking ballot papers, voting booths are available at the back of the chamber. Ballot papers should be marked with an X before being folded and then placed in one of the ballot boxes provided at the rear of the chamber. At the end of each voting period, I shall invite any scrutineers that have been nominated by each candidate to monitor the counting of votes at the back of the chamber, which is where clerks will empty the ballot boxes and begin counting votes. Candidates may also observe the count. I will announce the results of each round of voting when all votes have been counted and verified.
I declare the election of the Presiding Officer open. Members should now proceed to the appropriate desk to collect their ballot papers.
Members voted by secret ballot.