Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Act 2025

35 Review of order of candidates on ballot papers used at elections

(1) The Scottish Ministers must review the method of ordering of candidates on ballot papers—

(a) at local government elections, and

(b) at Scottish Parliament elections.

(2) The Scottish Ministers may consult such persons as they consider appropriate when undertaking such a review.

(3) The Scottish Ministers must, by no later than the day which is 5 years after the day of coming into force of this section—

(a) prepare a report on that review,

(b) publish the report, and

(c) lay the report before the Scottish Parliament.

(4) The report must, in particular, set out an assessment of—

(a) whether any changes should be made to the method of ordering of candidates—

(i) at local government elections, or

(ii) at Scottish Parliament elections,

(b) the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of randomising ballot papers or otherwise changing the ordering of candidates on ballot papers at those elections, and

(c) whether the Scottish Ministers propose to make or lay before the Scottish Parliament—

(i) an order under section 3 of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 containing new rules on the method of ordering of candidates on ballot papers in local government elections, or

(ii) an order under section 12 of the Scotland Act 1998 containing new rules on the method of ordering of candidates on ballot papers in Scottish Parliament elections.