AN election count in Dumfries has been suspended until an emergency generator is fired up to deal with a power cut.
Journalists at the count reported the news on Twitter, saying DG1 Leisure Centre was "plunged into darkness" at around 2.15pm.
Power is expected be back on at 4.15pm at the latest.
power cut in Dumfries #sp21 pic.twitter.com/7ZsqXSDqlP
— Jennifer M Jones (@jennifermjones) May 7, 2021
Nithsdale Police said the power cut has affected shops and pubs across the region, tweeting: "We are aware of a power cut which is affecting a number of properties in High Street, #Dumfries & the surrounding area including traffic lights. @ScottishPower are aware. Please be patient if you are driving at these locations."
We are aware of a power cut which is affecting a number of properties in High Street, #Dumfries & the surrounding area including traffic lights. @ScottishPower are aware. Please be patient if you are driving at these locations pic.twitter.com/p8IfBo3JJW
— Nithsdale Police (@NithsdalePolice) May 7, 2021
Declarations for the Dumfriesshire and Galloway and West Dumfries constituencies were initially due to be expected later on today. It is unclear how the power cut will affect the timing.
Power cut here in Dumfries as the election count is plunged in to darkness. #SP21 pic.twitter.com/SBrCoetTiC
— Connor Gillies (@ConnorGillies) May 7, 2021
Eyes across the country will be on the result for Dumfriesshire, where the SNP's Joan McAlpine needs to swing the 2016 result by just 1.7% to gain the constituency from Oliver Mundell.
The area has historically been a safe Labour seat but was taken by Mundell in 2016 with only 1230 more votes than McAlpine.
This time McAlpine thinks the impact of Brexit and the desperate need for new job opportunities for young people in the area could swing it to the SNP.
READ MORE: Key battleground: Dumfriesshire – Oliver Mundell seat ‘ripe for taking’ by Joan McAlpine
More than 4.2 million voters – a record number for a Scottish election – registered to have their say at the ballot box.
Polling stations also looked different than normal due to the pandemic, with various safety measures in place to protect voters and staff from Covid-19.
More to follow
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