An SNP leadership hopeful has called on party members to be able to change their vote in the wake of a transparency scandal.
A statement by Ash Regan said party members should be able to “reconsider” votes already cast for other candidates.
Regan is up against Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and Finance Secretary Kate Forbes in the bitter contest to succeed Nicola Sturgeon.
A key campaign issue has been the conduct of party headquarters and a false statement which denied the SNP had lost 30,000 members.
SNP spin doctor Murray Foote and party chief executive Peter Murrell, who is married to Sturgeon, resigned last week over the fiasco.
Regan, who led calls for transparency, is now suggesting further changes mid way through the contest.
A statement from the campaign noted talks with acting CEO Michael Russell:
“My team have put forward proposals that provide assurance to members with minimum disruption to the election process that we can move ahead constructively on.
“In 2015 selection contests for Westminster candidatures had varying end dates. In some cases, candidates were removed from the ballot before a race ended, where this happened members were able to update their vote. The facility exists within the Mi-Voice system.
“This would have the benefit of not disrupting members who are happy with their vote while providing an opportunity to reconsider for those who are not.
“In addition each candidate would be allowed to send one email to the members using the SNP mailing system - allowing a last minute updated message that reflects current events.
“We thank Mike for taking this suggestion seriously and lend our support to the integrity of the ballot. It is important that all parties respect the outcome of the ballot and give full support to the new leader of the SNP.”
Party sources believe allowing members to change their vote could hamper Yousaf, who has been accused of being the continuity candidate.
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