Voters are selecting the last three councillors in a delayed local authority ballot.

The election in Dunoon, Argyll and Bute, was rescheduled by a week after the death of SNP candidate Alister MacAlister.

Polling stations in the town open between 7am and 10pm on Thursday. The electronic count will start at the Queen's Hall about 30 minutes afterwards.

A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council said the authority was hoping the result would be known by midnight.

Despite the delayed election, the 12 elected SNP councillors have already formed an administration in coalition with independent members and local group Argyll First.

Deals are being struck around Scotland's 32 councils.

Labour has reached an agreement with the Conservatives to run Aberdeen, giving it the lead role in the three largest cities. Labour won a majority in Glasgow last week and formed a coalition with the SNP in Edinburgh.

More About Local elections 2012

• Scotland’s councillors get back to work as the dust settles on elections
• New coalition in Edinburgh sets out promises for next five years
• SNP fury as Labour and Tories strike coalition deal to run Stirling Council
• Councils in Lothians strike deals after days of negotiations
• Councils across Scotland starting to take shape after days of negotiations
• Negotiations across the Lothians in the wake of local government elections
• Labour and Conservatives set to form coalition to run East Lothian Council

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