John Swinney, the Scottish first minister, has raised concerns that voters are being disfranchised because of delays in receiving postal votes. Voters in some parts of the UK, particularly Scotland, have not received their postal ballots ahead of the election on 4 July. Postal vote requests are particularly high in Scotland because schools are on holiday next week. Two Scottish councils have now taken urgent action to ensure that those affected can still cast their ballot. Edinburgh city council and Fife council set up emergency centres where residents who have yet to receive their ballot can have one reissued, or even cast their vote ahead of 4 July. Other voters have complained of not receiving their postal votes in places as far apart as Cornwall and London.
Swinney said he is worried that some Scottish people will be disfranchised by delays in receiving their postal votes due to school holidays beginning. The Electoral Management Board for Scotland has already said there have been “many difficulties experienced with the delivery of postal votes” across the country. Swinney had already accused Rishi Sunak of being “disrespectful” with his decision to hold the election when many Scottish families are on holiday. The first minister said: “I just think it is a deeply unacceptable situation, that people will be disfranchised because the calling of the election has been done at a time which is quite inconvenient for a lot of people, lots of schools in Scotland are already on their holidays, and we’re a week away from polling day.” Paul Lawrence, returning officer for Edinburgh, said: “I appreciate the concerns of voters on this issue and my absolute priority is to ensure everyone has the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote in this general election. “That’s why we’ve taken the decision to put in extra resources and open the City Chambers this weekend.” He added: “Please only attend if you haven’t received your postal vote and you’re going on holiday or won’t be at home next week.” Lawrence said it was a “concern throughout the UK and throughout Scotland”, but that the decision had been made because local schools broke up on Friday and many families are going away at the weekend.