Red-faced John Swinney adviser blunders by breaking election rules – and quickly deletes evidence

Olaf Stando worked for the Nats before being promoted to a taxpayer-funded job as a special adviser to the Scottish Government

A red-faced John Swinney adviser has blundered after appearing to break electoral rules with a picture of his filled-out ballot paper. Olaf Stando was a former party activist when he was brought in to bolster the First Minister’s special advisers last year, getting onto the public payroll.

He is failed council candidate and headed up the youth wing of the party. But he hastily deleted his X post on Thursday after being informed that he may have broken strict electoral rules surrounding taking images in polling stations. He helps the Scottish Government come up with policies.

Mr Stando posted an image of his filled-in regional and constituency ballots from the voting booth.

The photo could land the Nats adviser in hot water with the election watchdog for breaching strict rules. A spokeswoman for the Electoral Commission said: “Taking photos inside the polling place is not allowed as it can put the secrecy of the ballot at risk.”

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Mr Stando failed in an attempt to become an elected councillor in Kirkcaldy but was fast-tracked to join a record number of government civil servants anyway. He has been left red-faced repeatedly over social media gaffes, including tweeting a gif about Liz Truss paying condolences to Jimmy Saville, when it was pointed out that Nicola Sturgeon had also done this.

One social media user pointed out that he may have inadvertently broken the rules, writing to him: “Hi Olaf – I have always heard that it is illegal to post pics of your ballot once you have marked it. And you took this photo in the polling station? Even worse.”

Mr Stando has been on the campaign trail with Mr Swinney, helping him out with videos and dealing with journalists. He dubbed himself as “communications, digital and campaigns professional” on social media. Once approached for comment by the Scottish Sun, he seemingly deleted the post.

Before joining the SNP Government in a cushy, taxpayer-funded job, he worked as a digital media manager for the SNP both down in London and up in Edinburgh. He then joined the National Union of Students in a similar role for a year, did three months as “head of communication and engagement” with Reposit, and then joined the SNP Government in October 2024.