Scots election chief plan mooted

The last Holyrood election count was hit by delays

The Scottish Government has unveiled plans to appoint a chief returning officer to oversee the running of elections in Scotland.

The move was a key recommendation of the independent Ron Gould review into the 2007 Scottish elections fiasco.

Scots ministers have repeatedly called for the power to direct Holyrood elections to be devolved to Scotland, but the UK Government is not persuaded.

The SNP said the reluctance of UK ministers was unfortunate.

The results process in the last Holyrood election was besieged by delays and saw some 140,000 ballot papers rejected.

It is unfortunate that the Scotland Office seems reluctant to make this happen Bruce Crawford, Scottish minister for parliament

SNP ministers have now launched a consultation on bringing all elections in Scotland under the direct control of a new chief returning officer.

Bruce Crawford, minister for the Scottish Parliament, said the post could deal with the complicated issue of electoral administration - but warned it must improve accountability, not add another layer of bureaucracy.

"If we create a chief returning officer I would like to see his or her role extend to all elections run in Scotland - local government, Scottish, UK and European Parliament," said Mr Crawford.

"That was Ron Gould's view and it is the view of most electoral professionals. It is unfortunate that the Scotland Office seems reluctant to make this happen."

Mr Crawford, who said the Scottish Government "cannot wait forever", added that the consultation would seek views on appointing a chief returning officer for council elections - an area where Scotland does have direct control.