THE two leading candidates in the Aberdeen Donside by-election clashed over school closures and independence on a final day of campaigning before voters go to the polls today.
Mark McDonald, who is strong favourite to retain the seat for the SNP, vowed to seek a meeting with the Labour-led council in a bid to prevent the closure of two primary schools in the constituency.
Meanwhile Labour's Willie Young, a councillor, urged voters to use the by-election to send a message to Alex Salmond opposing independence.
Come back to HeraldScotland tonight for all the latest on the Aberdeen Donside by-election. Political Editor Magnus Gardham will be at the count in Bucksburn and we'll have news, reaction and analysis in our late-night special. And you'll be able to add your views on the outcome in our comments forum.
The final pitches came as voters prepared to elect a successor to Brian Adam, the veteran SNP MSP who died from cancer earlier this year. Mr Adam took the seat with a 7000 majority over Labour at the last election in 2011.
Mr McDonald said: "If elected, my very first act would be to call for a meeting with the council's education director about reversing the closure plans so that the cloud of uncertainty hanging over Bramble Brae and Middleton Park primaries can be lifted."
Mr Young said: "This vote is a chance to send a message to Alex Salmond: stop taking Aberdeen for granted. Stop ripping off our city. Stop using Aberdeen as the cash-cow to pay for separation."
Other issues that have dominated the campaign include the future of the Haudagain roundabout, a cause of tailbacks.
LibDem candidate Christine Jardine said: "Everyone in Aberdeen knows that we have real issues with local roads and transport links. But these problems are a symptom of the fact that Aberdeen has been short-changed so badly by the SNP on key funding."
Ross Thomson, the Scottish Conservative candidate, said: "It's about electing a local champion – someone who will fight the corner of people in Donside."
Nine candidates are standing for election. The Scottish Green Party is fielding local campaigner Rhonda Reekie, the Ukip candidate is Otto Inglis, the Scottish National Front candidate is David MacDonald, the Scottish Christian Party is standing Tom Morrow and the Scottish Democratic Alliance candidate is James Trolland.
Bookmakers have made Mark McDonald the strong favourite to win the seat.
Mr McDonald, a former North East regional MSP who stood down from the Scottish Parliament to contest the by-election, is being given odds of 1/33 by William Hill which put Labour at 10/1 and the Conservatives, Greens, Liberal Democrats and the UK Independence Party (Ukip) all at 150/1.
If the SNP loses the seat, it would be a blow to First Minister Alex Salmond and his party in the run-up to next year's independence referendum.
If the Nationalists fail to win it would also mean Mr Salmond's party would lose its overall majority at Holyrood.
Mr Adam's death left the SNP with 64 MSPs - one short of the 65 required for a majority in the 129-seat Scottish Parliament.
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