GOING POSTAL

Hundreds of Scots have been denied their democratic right and Stephen Flynn of the SNP says it's simply not good enough

- CHRIS MCCALL

STEPHEN Flynn has slammed the postal vote system as "simply not good enough" as hundreds of Scots face being unable to have their say at the general election tomorrow.

The SNP Westminster leader said the system must be reformed after reports flooded in of people not receiving ballot papers despite meeting the deadline given for applications.

The timing of the election during the first week of the school summer holidays in Scotland meant there was increased demand for postal votes.

But many Scots have since flown abroad for long-planned breaks without being able to cast their votes.

Flynn, the SNP candidate for Aberdeen South, warned the issues risk disenfranchising voters. He said: "I'm massively concerned about that, like almost every candidate across Scotland that I believe to be the case.

"I've had numerous emails from people who have not received their postal ballot, that's simply not good enough.

"We warned the Prime Minister of this when it became apparent that he was going to choose the election date because, of course, for a huge majority of the people of Scotland, it's now the school holidays. People are away on holiday.

"If their postal vote didn't land in time, then they're now disenfranchised from this election, they're not able to vote for who they want to represent them at Westminster, whether that's the SNP or otherwise. That's simply not good enough." Flynn added: "I see some individuals are blaming the Royal Mail but the reality is the system is not fit for purpose, and we need to see huge reform.