Voting to get under way in the contest to succeed Nicola Sturgeon

Voting in the contest to succeed Nicola Sturgeon and become Scotland’s next first minister will begin on Monday as the SNP leadership election enters its final fortnight.

Finance secretary Kate Forbes, health secretary Humza Yousaf and former community safety minister Ash Regan are in the running to become Scotland’s sixth First Minister.

Ballot papers are being sent out to tens of thousands of SNP members, who are tasked with choosing their party’s new leader.

Just hours after voting gets under way, the candidates will take part in a live TV debate on Sky News – the third televised clash of the leadership campaign so far.

The result will be announced after the ballot closes at noon on Monday, March 27.

The single transferable voting system being used means second preferences could be key in determining the next SNP leader.

Party members will be asked to rank the three candidates in order of preference, and if no single candidate secures more than 50% of votes on first preferences, the person in third place will be eliminated.

Their second preference votes will then be distributed amongst the two remaining candidates in order to find the winner.

The leadership contest is taking place after Ms Sturgeon announced in February that she was quitting the job she has had for more than eight years – making her the longest-serving Scottish first minister to date.

The company Mi Voice – which runs all internal SNP elections – will be sending out emails to party members when voting opens at noon.

Paper ballots have also been sent out to those members who have requested them, with those also due to arrive on Monday.

An SNP spokesperson said: “SNP members will receive their ballots via email today and have until the morning of March 27 to cast their votes – the day the next leader will be announced.

“The ballot is being operated by an independent third party who will ensure the process is free, fair, and well-run.”