The SNP looked on course to continue its domination of Fife’s UK Parliamentary seats as counting got underway.
Nicola Sturgeon’s party look likely to return at least three of its four current MP’s in the Kingdom, based on early evidence from counts taking place in Glenrothes.
However, the battle for the North East Fife seat looked too close to call from early indications, with the Liberal Democrats launching a strong bid to oust Stephen Gethins from his post.
Despite having had two visits from his party leader in recent weeks, the Liberal Democrats are understood to have rallied their support in the constituency, with its candidate, former councillor Elizabeth Riches, said to be doing well according to early samples.
It coincided with bookmakers shortening their odds for Tim Farron’s party to reclaim the seat, which was once the former stronghold of Sir Menzies Campbell.
Predictions from early ballot boxes also suggested a boost in support for the Conservative Party, however, current SNP MPs are all expected to retain their seats.
Douglas Chapman was expected last night to hold on to his Dunfermline and West Fife seat for SNP, but perhaps not with the majority he won it in 2015.
He swept to victory with a 10,352 majority then, winning the constituency from Labour’s Thomas Docherty.
As counting began he was considered a safe bet but Belinda Hacking was expected to give him a decent fight for the Conservatives.
Mr Chapman said he had worked hard on his campaign but it was too early to voice confidence that it had been enough.
There were also early suggestions that the Labour Party had managed to rally its numbers in its former mining strongholds, however, these were not expected to be significant enough to overturn large SNP majorities held by Mr Grant, Mr Mullin and Mr Chapman.
Results for the Glenrothes, Kirkcaldy and North East Fife were being tallied at the Michael Woods Centre in Glenrothes, while the papers for Dunfermline and West Fife were being counted at Glenrothes High School.
The first Fife results were expected to be announced shortly after 2am.
