Mike Russell says the approach of the UK government is "inadequate" because it does not allow those in custody to vote.

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins insists UK law complies with international human rights law.

Mr Russell replies this differs from whether it could survive a challenge and many believe UK law would not.

The 12 month threshold is the position the Scottish government reached after consultation and it received the most support, he explains.

I remain convinced that 12 months is the best choice and he urges Mr Ruskell not to press his amendment seeking 48 months.

On Liam McArthur's amendment, the minister confirms his party will support 32 if it is successfully amended.

Image source, bbc

James Kelly supports the enfranchisement of prisoners serving up to one year but does not back the proposal to make that up to four years.

The Labour MSP rejects the amendments from Jamie Halcro Johnston arguing the position the Scottish government has arrived at is the correct one.

He backs the amendments from Liam McArthur.

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says it has been clear for some time that stopping all prisoners from voting is not legal, fair or proportionate.

He confirms his party will support the Green amendment, adding that while it is unlikely to pass this afternoon is seems likely the parliament will have to return to it in the future.

He says court rulings on prisoner voting have generally considered the type of offence, explaining his own amendment seeks to introduce this in Scotland.

There is no credible reason to reduce the scope of prison voting as proposed by Jamie Halcro Johnston he concludes.

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Mark Ruskell seeks to extend prisoner voting to those serving four years or less.

Mr Ruskell calls for a more progressive extension of the franchise that is in line with judgments from the European Court of Human Rights.

He says to the Tories this might sound like a "horribly radical step", but it was the norm most prisoners had the vote before 1969, "so perhaps this is more of a return to traditional values".

Adam Tomkins responds to this saying the proposal is just "horrible" and asks if Mr Ruskell carried out a consultation with victims of crime.

Mr Ruskell says Sacro back his proposal and says removing the rights of prisoners to vote does not protect the public and weakens rehabilitation efforts.

Tory MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston explains his amendments seek to remove the prisoner voting provisions from the bill and instead replace it with what is required as a minimum under human rights law.

He warns a Green amendment to go further than the government's plan would lead to more serious offenders being able to vote.

We now move to the controversial group of amendments relating to giving prisoners the vote.

To follow the debate and voting on these amendments you'll need;

• Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Bill, external
• the marshalled list of amendments, external
• the groupings of amendments, external

Prisoners serving custodial sentences should be given the right to vote, a committee of MSPs has said.

A majority of Holyrood's Equalities and Human Rights Committee said the current ban should be lifted.

Its report said not being able to vote might impact negatively on an individual's rehabilitation.

The two Conservatives on the committee opposed the move and the Scottish government said it had no plans to allow prisoners the vote.

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Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur confirms his party will back the government's amendments in this group, but points to complications and difficulties in relation to the Green amendments.

He says voters deserve clarity that the person they vote for has a right to take up the position to which they are elected and are able to stay for a full term.

Labour MSP James Kelly agrees, confirming Labour will back Mr Russell but not Mr Ruskell.

The Green amendments are duly rejected.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell says having reflected on Mr Russell's comments he will not move amendments 20A-C.

Mr Ruskell welcomes the government amendments on extending candidacy rights but criticises the fact that this does not extend to those from outwith the EU.

Tory MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston backs the government amendments, but says the same rights should be extended to those British residents in the EU with pre-settled and settled status.

The next group of amendments relate to eligibility nomination, election and holding office.

Mike Russell says the bill as introduced sought only to extend candidacy rights to those with right to remain in the UK.

This may seem harsh but the decision was taken in light of immigration being a reserved matter, he explains.

He says he has written to UK counterparts to ask about enabling those who wish to stand for election having employment restrictions waived but this has gone unanswered.

Persons with pre-settled status will be allowed to stand in elections, Mr Russell tells the chamber.

On Mark Ruskell's amendments, he urges him not to press one set because it would place the bill outside the competence on the Scottish parliament.

On another proposal from Mr Ruskell, the minister says he cannot see a way in which the powers would be used.

The intention from Mr Ruskell is good but once again there are practical problems with them given powers are reserved to Westminster, Mr Russell states.

MSPs reject efforts by Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell to enfranchise asylum seekers, despite backing from Labour and the Lib Dems.

The Tories and the SNP voted against the amendments citing practical difficulties.

Tory MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston says his party won't oppose the amendments from the minister, but adds he cannot support the amendments from Mark Ruskell on asylum seekers.

Liam McArthur, for the Lib Dems, also confirms all the government amendments will get his party's backing.

The Lib Dems will also support the asylum seeker amendments.

Labour also backs all the amendments in the group, confirms James Kelly.

Mr Russell's amendments are agreed without a vote. As the vote on Mr Ruskell's amendment is the first of the afternoon, there will be a short suspension as MSPs make their way to the chamber.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell explains the right to vote is seen as a fundamental human right to vote and giving asylum seekers that right would show them we do not consider them 'other'.

Tory MSP Adam Tomkins says the amendments would have a series of significant impacts in terms of administrative and bureaucratic challenges.

He accepts there are concerns but argues the difficulties around registration are not materially different from those of registering other citizens.

We begin with amendments on voting in Scottish elections by qualifying foreign nationals.

Constitution, Europe and External Affairs Secretary Mike Russell says this is another moment in parliamentary history.

"I am pleased we are extending voting rights to foreign national residents in Scotland."

He says his amendments are necessary post-Brexit to ensure EU nationals are put on the same basis as other foreign nationals.

Mr Russell says the bill enfranchises refugees and he pivots to the issue of whether asylum seekers should also be.

In relation to Green MSP Mark Ruskell's amendments calling for asylum seekers to be enfranchised, he says he has sympathy with this call.

However he points out: "There are huge practical issues which simply cannot be wished away."

The standards committee rejected this call as a result of that and the minister reluctantly says he cannot back Mr Ruskell's amendment.

Image source, Getty Images

Prisoners serving a sentence of less than 12 months could get the right to vote under new legislation.

The new laws would also extend the right to vote to anyone legally resident in Scotland, adding 55,000 people to the electoral register.

The change is being proposed in the wake of the Scottish government giving voting rights to 16 and 17-year-olds.

The bill will also restate the rights of European Union citizens resident in Scotland to take part in elections.

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Now, MSPs debate and vote on Stage 3 amendments to the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Bill, external.

It seeks to extend the right to vote in local and Scottish elections to prisoners serving a sentence of less than 12 months, as well as anyone legally resident in Scotland, including refugees and those granted asylum.

This would add 55,000 people to the electoral register.

To follow this Stage 3 amendments proceedings you'll need the following:

• the marshalled list of amendments, external
• the groupings of amendments, external