2026 Scottish Parliament election

The Notice of Election for the Almond Valley Constituency and the Notice of Election for the Bathgate Constituency have been published.   

The election will take place on new constituency and region boundaries.   You can see maps of 

• A map of Almond Valley Constituency (opens new window)
• A map of Bathgate Constituency (opens new window)
• A map of Falkirk East and Linlithgow Constituency (opens new window)
• A map of Central Scotland and Lothians West Region (opens new window)

More information on the election for the Falkirk East and Linlithgow Constituency is available from the relevant Constituency Returning Officer at Falkirk Council (opens new window)

More information on the Regional contest is available from the Regional Returning Officer for Central Scotland and Lothians West (opens new window)

Information for Voters

More information for voters is available here

If you want to have your say at the election you must be registered to vote by midnight on Monday 20 April.    You can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote (opens new window).   If you are not sure if you are registered to vote should contact the Electoral Registration Officer (opens new window)

If you won't be able to go to the polling station on 7 May you can apply for a postal or proxy vote.  The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April.   The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.   

Information for Candidates and Agents - Almond Valley / Bathgate Constituencies

Briefing

A briefing for prospective candidates and agents took place on Thursday 12 March 2026. A copy of the briefing is available to download from this website below. If you require any further information, please contact the Election Office on 01506 282035 or by email at elections@westlothian.gov.uk.

Nomination Packs

A nomination pack is also available to download from this website.

For the convenience of candidates and election agents, arrangements have been made for staff to accept nomination papers at the Election Office, Executive Wing, Second Floor, West Lothian Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 6FF.

The nomination period runs from Tuesday 17 March to Wednesday 1 April 2026. Nominations can be lodged between 10am and 4pm during this period.

Nominations must be lodged not later than 4pm on Wednesday 1 April 2026.

To assist in ensuring that an appropriate member of staff is on hand to receive nominations it would be helpful if candidates (and/or election agents) would contact a member of the Election Team on 01506 282035 or by email at elections@westlothian.gov.uk to arrange a mutually convenient date and time for checking of the nomination papers and thereafter to lodge formally your nomination paper. Ideally that would happen after forms have been checked and adjusted via email. A guide to completing the nomination paper and an annotated set of forms is included within the nomination pack for ease of reference.

Candidates are advised to read the Electoral Commission's Guidance to Candidates and Agents. A link to this guide is provided as part of the additional resources list provided in the pack.

Please contact the Election Office for further information if required.