Meeting of the Parliament 14 May 2026 [Draft]
Voting in the first round of the election of the Presiding Officer is closed. I now invite any scrutineers appointed by the candidates to go to the back of the chamber to observe the counting of ballot papers. Candidates may also observe the count.
In the first round of voting in the election of the Presiding Officer, the number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows: Kenneth Gibson 46, Clare Haughey 42, Liam McArthur 34, Stuart McMillan 6.
As no member has received an overall majority of the votes cast, and as Stuart McMillan received the fewest votes, he will be eliminated from the election and a further round will take place with the following candidates: Kenneth Gibson, Clare Haughey and Liam McArthur.
There will be a short break while ballot papers are printed.
14:56
Meeting suspended.
15:02
On resuming—
The Presiding Officer:This voting period is now open. We will use the same voting procedure as before.
Members voted by secret ballot.