FIRST MINISTER Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale have cast their votes as the polls opened for the Holyrood elections.
The First Minister arrived at the Broomhouse Community hall in Baillieston today around 8.30am, along with her husband and SNP Chief Executive Peter Murrell.
Read more: SNP poised for historic third term as Labour and the Tories fight to finish second
Asked how she was feeling on polling day, Nicola said: “I'm feeling good, we've fought a great campaign.
" I think we've put the issues on the table and put forward a very positive message so my appeal to people today is to get out there and vote SNP with both votes and return an SNP government so that we can get on with the job of taking Scotland forward.”
Our reporter presented her with a personalised edition of our sister publication, the Evening Times
She happily accepted the paper and smiled as she posed for photographs.
Joining the couple was John Mason, the SNP candidate for Shettleston who is hoping to win his seat in Holyrood for another five years.
He said he was feeling "relieved" that polling day had finally arrived, and added: "Now it is out of my hands and in the hands of the voters.
"I'm looking forward to today, and tonight.
"I'm hoping to be elected, I'm hoping the SNP gets a majority and that Nicola is definitely First Minister again."
Tory leader, Ruth Davidson voted in St. Mary’s Parish in Edinburgh hoping to win enough support to overtake Labour as the second party.
A handful of voters had arrived at the polling station by 9am, with many rushing in to cast their votes before heading to work.
One woman, who did not want to be named, said: " I'm voting the same way as I have always done, nothing has really changed for me this year.
"It will be interesting to see what happens, everyone seems to think the SNP will win more seats."
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale also cast her vote at St Ninian's RC Church in Edinburgh with her partner Louise Riddell.
Mark Bond, 27, was preparing to cast his vote in Baillieston this morning.
He said he was "uninspired" by the elections this year and added: " Everyone knows the result and none of the parties have attempted to make it exciting with new ideas or policies.
"The opposition parties seem to have little to no talent at the moment.
"I think it's a real shame that we have no competition because I feel as if many people have lost their interest in politics compared to the last couple of years."
Patrick Harvie voted at Notre Dame Primary school in the west end, in the Glasgow Kelvin seat where he is standing, challenging the SNP and Labour. He is also top of the Greens list for Glasgow.
The greens are hopeful of increasing their MSPs with a target of eight across the country.
Mr Harvie said: “Our aim is green representation for every region of Scotland. Voters across the country are telling us they are considering how best to use their two votes. By casting a regional vote for the Scottish Greens people can be sure of bringing new voices into the Scottish Parliament to champion bold ideas our country needs.”
Tory leader, Ruth Davidson voted in St. Mary’s Parish in Edinburgh hoping to win enough support to overtake Labour as the second party.
Liberal Democrat leader, Willie Rennie, cast his vote in the Tabernacle Hall in Keltybridge in Fife. He said a vote for the LibDems was a vote for better education.
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