Candidate statistics for 2026 election: FOI release

Information requested

I am writing to submit a request for information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.

Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I request any data or reports held on the number of foreign national candidates who:

(a) stood for election,

(b) were elected, or

(c) withdrew their candidacy in the May 2026 Scottish Parliament election, broken down by visa/leave type (limited leave, student visa, indefinite leave, etc.) where this information was recorded or collected.

Response

After conducting searches of our records, we have not identified any information in scope of your request. This is a formal notice under S.17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.

The Scottish Government plays no role in the candidate nomination process or in gathering information about candidates. Returning officers are responsible for handling candidate nominations and the overall running of elections in their area. The Scottish Government did have access to a general list of candidates ahead of the election, but this did not contain any information to identify individuals by their leave status.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.