That the Parliament recognises that the extension of voting rights to some prisoners was introduced to comply with a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights that a blanket ban on prisoner voting breached the European Convention on Human Rights; notes that, under the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Act 2020, passed with a two thirds majority on 20 February 2020, the franchise was extended to those serving a custodial sentence of 12 months or less, and that similar actions have been taken in other parts of the UK and widely across the world, and believes that it is for the Scottish Parliament to take the action that it considers necessary to comply with human rights obligations.
Result 89 for, 27 against, 0 abstained, 13 did not vote Vote Passed
Scottish National Party
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Scottish Labour
Scottish Green Party
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Independent
No Party Affiliation
Reform UK
That the Parliament believes that no individual serving a prison sentence, including criminals convicted of serious assault, robbery and sexual offences, should be allowed to vote in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election.
Submitted by: Michael Russell, Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party, Date lodged: Tuesday, February 23, 2021
Current status: Taken in the chamber on Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Result 90 for, 27 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote Vote Passed