Two SNP leadership candidates have united to demand the party reveal how many members will receive a vote in the bitter contest.
Kate Forbes and Ash Regan said the information is necessary to ensure a “fair” election that inspires “confidence”.
Humza Yousaf, the bookies’ favourite for the top job, has separately urged SNP headquarters to publish the numbers.
It is understood the membership figures will be published after a meeting of the SNP’s national executive tomorrow.
A newspaper reported the SNP membership had fallen to 78,000, but the party has not confirmed the number.
SNP headquarters has as a result faced claims the contest between Forbes, Regan and Humza Yousaf lacks transparency.
In a letter to SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, who is married to outgoing leader Nicola Sturgeon, Regan wrote: "I am writing this open letter on behalf of all the campaign teams of Ash Regan and Kate Forbes, both of whom are contesting for the leadership of the Scottish National Party (SNP).
The three demands are for the total number of paid-up members in the SNP, the number of digital voting papers sent to members and the number of physical postal voting papers issued.
She added: “We have previously reached out to the National Secretary, Lorna Finn, with a request for this information. However, we have yet to receive a response, which has prompted us to address this matter through a formal open letter.
“As the Chief Executive Officer of the SNP, it is your responsibility to ensure that the leadership election process is transparent, fair, and equitable. Providing this information is crucial to fostering trust and confidence among the candidates, their campaign teams, and the party members who are participating in the election.
“We kindly request that you respond to this letter and share the requested information as soon as possible. Your cooperation in this matter will not only demonstrate the SNP's commitment to democratic values and principles but also help maintain a strong and united party during this leadership contest.”
Regan has previously called for Murrell to stand down as CEO.
She has said there is “a conflict of interest” in having Murrell, the party’s chief executive, oversee the process:
“Effectively he’s running the contest to replace his wife. That would be like Carrie [Johnson] counting the votes for Boris’s successor, and I think many people would think that would be fairly unusual. I think there is a conflict of interest here."
Former Health Secretary Alex Neil said recently: “The party MUST stop any chance of the election being rigged. Keep an eye out for past members, lapsed members having their votes cast for them.
“Also the party members are entitled to know exactly how many people are entitled to vote in this election. No more deceit.”
An SNP spokesperson said: “Candidates have already been made aware that responsibility for the leadership election does not rest with any member of staff.”
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