Will Scottish vote see 63 million people wake up to a new country on Friday ... - Times of India

EDINBURGH: Will the world wake up on Friday morning to Europe's newest state, Scotland? Millions of Scots, as young as 16 years of age, came out to vote and decide the future of their nation. The historic referendum, that could break up the United Kingdom, a partnership of over 300 years, asked Scots a simple question: "Should Scotland remain part of the UK or become an independent country?"

As many as 97% of eligible Scots, or nearly 4.3 million people, have registered to vote. Long queues outside polling stations stood evidence to the emotion that came along with the choice they were faced with. The warning from Westminster has been loud and clear. "There is no going back," they said to those wanting to vote for independence. A "Yes" vote would raise serious questions about Britain's status as a super power.

Scotland's first minister Alex Salmond cast his vote in the village of Strichen in northeast Scotland where he is lawmaker. "We've got the chance to build a more prosperous economy but also a fairer society," the Scottish National Party leader said.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has pleaded with Scotland not to break away. "It's their choice, their vote. But my argument is that though only four million people can vote in this referendum, all 63 million of us are profoundly affected," he said. "We would be deeply diminished without Scotland," he added.

According to Cameron, UK is a powerful brand and "if we lost Scotland, if the UK changed, we would rip the rug from under our own reputation." People have lined up across Scotland's 5,000 polling stations. Once the polls close, ballot papers will be counted in each of Scotland's 32 local authority areas. These will include votes cast from the 789,024 postal vote applications, which was the largest volume of registration for postal votes ever in Scotland.

After votes have been tallied, the counting officer in each area will communicate the result to the chief counting officer Mary Pitcaithly in Edinburgh. With her approval, they will then make a declaration of the result. EU has said Scotland would have to apply for membership and get the approval of all current member states if Scots vote 'Yes' and a separate nation-state is formed.

It doesn't matter whether the people were born in Scotland, but they need to be living in Scotland to vote. They also need to be British, Irish, other European Union or qualifying Commonwealth citizen. Qualifying Commonwealth citizens are those who have leave to enter or remain in the UK or do not require such leave.

Pundits said women voters would be the deciding factor on Thursday's Scottish referendum with the latest polls showing a 16 point lead among women who have decided which way to vote.

The Scottish government has been promised new powers over setting income tax and other measures if Scotland votes against independence. But, 50% Scots do not trust that these powers will be delivered as promised, while 34% do.

Just about 49% Scots agreed with the statement, "The independence referendum campaign has caused deep divisions within Scotland and has damaged relations between Scotland and the rest of the UK, including a fifth (18%) of 'Yes' voters. By comparison, only 23% agreed that the campaign "has been a force for good and has brought people in Scotland closer together."

"When we asked about the biggest influences for a possible Yes victory, two in five (38%) said dislike of Westminster politicians would be the most important factor. Interestingly, a larger proportion of No voters picked this to Yes voters (45% to 31%)."

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