Nominations have opened for the council elections taking place in May.

Parties can begin submitting their lists of candidates and any independent who wants to stand can register to take part.

The election will take place on Thursday May 5 with the votes counted the following day.

Glasgow will elect 85 councillors across 23 multi-member wards.

It means council wards will elect either three or four councillors using the single Transferable Vote system.

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It means that voters can rank their preferences in order on the ballot paper from one to however many they like.

At the last election, in 2017, the SNP emerged as the largest party with 39 councillors ahead of Labour on 31 but with not enough to reach the 43 have majority control, but enough to form a minority administration for the first time in Glasgow.

The Conservatives won eight and the Greens seven council seats.

Since then, resignations and other changes have left the SNP with 34,

Councillors Michael Cullen, Russell Robertson, Glenn Elder and Elspeth Kerr left the SNP group during the term.

Labour end the term with 29, after Anne McTaggart switched to the SNP and James Coleman was disqualified for non-attendance,.

It won one back when Jill Brown won a by-election. Canal Ward councillor, Gary Gray, died last month. his funeral takes place today.

The Conservatives went down to seven after Kelvindale councillor, Tony Curtis, was disqualified for non-attendance and the Tories lost in the by-election.

The Greens went down to six when Martin Bartos left the group.

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There are three in an Independent Councillors Group and two who sit as independent councillors.

With nominations opening the election period officially begins and parties will be increasing their campaigning over the next seven weeks until polling day

The SNP are looking to hold onto power, and if possible win a majority after gaining control for the first time.

susan Aitken the council leader is again leading the SNP into the election.

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Labour however, under new national leadership with Anas Sarwar and at a city level with Malcolm Cunning, who replaced ex council leader, Frank McAveety, are aiming to take back the council.

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The Conservatives led by Thomas Kerr and the Greens with a co-convenorship are each looking to increase their numbers that would give them more clout in the chambers, particularly if it is a hung council once again.

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Prospective candidates have until 4pm on Wednesday, March 30, to get their nomination forms into the City Chambers.

Voters have until April 18 to register to vote to ensure they are able to take part in the election.

Registration can be done online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

The Glasgow Times will provide full coverage of the election campaign.

Local issues like education, cleansing, public transport, support for the city centre and local high streets and maintenance of roads and pavements as well as the active travel agenda are likely to feature heavily through the campaign.