Edinburgh has recorded a record level of registered voters in the run-up to tomorrow's historic vote on whether Scotland should become an independent country or remain within the Union.
Almost 90% of postal voters have already cast their vote, with a total of 377,413 people registered to take part in the Scottish Independence Referendum tomorrow.
Polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm though the public are being advised to avoid busy periods, expected to be before and after normal working hours. Where possible, voters are encouraged to visit mid-morning or mid-afternoon.
“After months of anticipation, the Referendum is finally upon us, and hundreds of thousands of people across the city are about to cast their vote," said Sue Bruce, Counting Officer for Edinburgh and Chief Executive of City of Edinburgh Council.
“I am really pleased with the high rate of registration, which demonstrates the level of interest in the debate. We have a record level of registered voters in Edinburgh for this Referendum and therefore I would encourage visitors to leave plenty of time to visit their local polling station and to mark an X in the box of their choice when filling out their ballot papers.”
The final 10% of postal voters who have not yet returned their ballot paper by post will still be able to hand it in at Waverley Court or City Chambers receptions or at an Edinburgh polling place on Thursday.
Information on local polling places can be found on the polling card delivered to homes and is available via a Google map on the Council website.
Referendum Result
Votes will be counted as soon as possible after the close of the poll at 10pm. Separate counts will be held by each local authority in Scotland with 32 local totals, each of which will be verified at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston. Results for the different local authorities will be declared through the night - Edinburgh and Glasgow are expected to declare at 5am. The total for Aberdeen is expected to be the last result declared.
The overall national result will be declared when one side has secured a mathematical victory, expected to be at 7am on Friday morning.
The winner is the side that gains the most votes even if the difference is one single vote.