Voting has closed and counting is now under way to replace shamed MP Margaret Ferrier.

Ms Ferrier was ousted from her Rutherglen and Hamilton West seat in August following a successful recall petition for breaching COVID restrictions in 2020.

Voters took to the polls between 7am and 10pm on Thursday for the by-election, with Ms Ferrier’s successor expected to be announced during the early hours of Friday morning.

Out of the 82,104 electorate, a total of 30,531 votes were cast (37.19% turnout).

The turnout is down from 66.48% at the snap 2019 general election, when 53,794 valid votes were cast.

Fourteen candidates are battling it out for the hotly contested seat.

All eyes will be on the SNP and Scottish Labour – with both parties treating the by-election as an important battleground ahead of the next UK general election.

The South Lanarkshire seat has changed hands between the parties at each of the past three general elections.

Upon arrival at the count, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar told Sky News: “I think it’s going to be a significant night.”

Meanwhile, an SNP source earlier said: “We have to be realistic. It’s been a tough time and we think the turnout will be very low.”

Ms Ferrier, who won the seat for the SNP in 2019, was forced to sit as an independent after losing the party whip when her COVID breach came to light.

Ms Ferrier was subsequently charged by police, ordered to undertake unpaid work, suspended from the Commons for 30 days and removed from her seat following a successful recall petition.

The count is taking place at South Lanarkshire Council headquarters in Hamilton.

Who is standing?

• Gloria Adebo (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
• Bill Bonnar (Scottish Socialist Party)
• Garry Cooke (Independent)
• Andrew Daly (Independent)
• Cameron Eadie (Scottish Green Party)
• Prince Ankit Love (Independent)
• Niall Fraser (Scottish Family Party)
• Ewan Hoyle (Volt UK)
• Thomas Kerr (Scottish Conservatives)
• Katy Loudon (SNP)
• Christopher Sermanni (Scottish Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition)
• Michael Shanks (Scottish Labour Party)
• David Stark (Reform UK)
• Colette Walker (Independence for Scotland Party)

SNP: Katy Loudon

The SNP are fielding South Lanarkshire councillor Katy Loudon.

The former primary school teacher has lived in the constituency for 14 years and has been a councillor since 2017.

Ms Loudon believes the by-election is an opportunity to “show Westminster that Scotland wants – and deserves – better than the Tory status quo”.

She added: “The Tories and Labour now stand hand in hand on a range of damaging policies including Brexit and the two-child cap and rape clause, which hits 1,600 children in Rutherglen and Hamilton West.”

During her campaign, Ms Loudon said she would push Westminster to reinstate a £400 energy bill rebate to help struggling families over winter.

She also said she would happily speak out on issues which disproportionately impacted her constituents.

She said: “I’m not shy to come forward. I’ve got the ear of the first minister and the ear of ministers, especially through this campaign.”

Ms Loudon also accused opponent Mr Shanks of “only talking about Margaret Ferrier” on the doorstep and claimed Scottish Labour “are offering nothing”.

Scottish Labour: Michael Shanks

Scottish Labour are championing Renfrewshire teacher Michael Shanks.

Mr Shanks previously made headlines after running along all 6,110 streets in Glasgow. He started the challenge during the first COVID lockdown and “crossed the finish line” in January last year.

Sir Keir Starmer’s party is hopeful that a win in Rutherglen and Hamilton West will show that Labour can make gains against the SNP at the upcoming general election, potentially paving the way for the party’s return to power at Westminster.

Scottish Labour put the cost of living crisis front and centre of its campaign.

It set out proposals to tackle the issue – including a clean energy plan that will reportedly save households up to £1,400 a year and a new deal for working people that it said would boost the minimum wage and make work pay.

As the count got under way, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “Michael Shanks should be proud of the energetic campaign he has led in Rutherglen and Hamilton West.

“It is clear for all to see that Scottish Labour is once more a serious force in Scottish politics.

“From our plans to make work pay to acting to put money into the pockets of working people, Scottish Labour has proudly campaigned on the priorities of the people.

“The people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West have spoken – soon we will know whether they have chosen a fresh start with Scottish Labour.”

Scottish Conservatives: Thomas Kerr

The Scottish Conservatives are backing Glasgow councillor Thomas Kerr, who has pledged to tackle the cost of living crisis, reduce NHS waiting times and protect local services.

At the count, Mr Kerr said his party ran a “pretty positive campaign”.

He noted that the Scottish Tories were “punching above their weight” against favourites the SNP and Scottish Labour, but added his party was laying the groundwork ahead of the next Westminster and Holyrood elections.

Mr Kerr said many of the constituents he spoke to during his campaign highlighted their struggles with the cost of living crisis, which he could relate to.

He stated that there was no “real difference” between the SNP and Scottish Labour.

Mr Kerr earlier said the SNP will be “fully focused on relentlessly pushing for another divisive referendum”.

He added: “Meanwhile, Scottish Labour cannot credibly offer voters a fresh start when on so many issues you cannot put a cigarette paper between them and the SNP, including when they voted for Nicola Sturgeon’s flawed gender self-id bill.”

Mr Kerr told Sky News: “We’re offering a real alternative and a real change.”

Scottish Greens: Cameron Eadie

Student Cameron Eadie is standing for the Scottish Greens and had urged voters to put “people and planet” at the top of the agenda at Westminster.

If elected, he said he would fight to remove the “cruel two-child benefit cap and rape clause whilst standing up for our environment”.

At the count, Mr Eadie told Sky News that he was “absolutely proud” of his campaign and team, and said it had been a “fantastic opportunity” to energise activists in the area.

He said most people he spoke to while canvassing were concerned about the cost of living crisis and climate damage.

Mr Eadie acknowledged that most people believe it’s a “two-horse race” between the SNP and Scottish Labour.

But speaking of his run, he said: “It’s something I’ve really enjoyed. It’s been a good experience.”

Scottish Liberal Democrats: Gloria Adebo

Data analyst Gloria Adebo is running for the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Ms Adebo said constituents had been “badly hammered by unnecessary and damaging SNP government cuts”.

She added: “SNP cuts now look set to cause the closure of all local police stations in the area – on top of the threat to care homes, day services, swimming pools and leisure facilities.

“It is time to stop the SNP’s centralising policies in their tracks and give a fair share of the Scottish budget to local services and local people.”

Ms Adebo said the SNP have “no interest” in working constructively.

She added: “Rather than perpetuate division, Scottish Liberal Democrats would work in partnership across the UK on key issues like the cost of living and reforming the UK to make it work better, strengthen ties with our European neighbours and build a better way forward together.”