The 2011 Scottish election is under way, with polling stations open until 10pm. Assuming there is no repeat of the chaos of 2007, here is a timeline of how the results should emerge:

22:00 – Polls close.

23:10 – STV coverage begins with Scotland Decides.

23:45 – BBC election coverage begins, with presenter Sally Magnusson and political editor Brian Taylor providing updates.

00:05 – BBC Radio Scotland’s coverage begins.

02:00-03:00 – The first results will begin to trickle in, with Orkney and East Kilbride among the first to call.

03:30-04:00 – Key swing seats such as East Renfrewshire and Glasgow Southside are expected to call. The result in Glasgow Southside, where Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is standing, may take the temperature of the whole election.

04:15 – East Lothian, the seat of Labour leader Iain Gray, is due to be announced.

04:30 – Key swing seats: Edinburgh Central, Eastern and Southern, are expected to call. Results in Edinburgh should provide a clear indication of the fate of the Liberal Democrats.

04:45 – First Minister Alex Salmond is expected to defend Aberdeenshire East. Will he be in a position to declare overall victory for his party?

05:50 – List winners are announced for all regions except Fife and the Highlands and Islands. A large tranche of MSPs will be confirmed and the election should be all but decided by this point. The list vote will provide a strong indication of what, if any, progress the Greens have made.

10:30 – STV and BBC Radio Scotland coverage restarts. BBC TV coverage follows half an hour later on BBC 2.

13:00-16:00 – The remaining results will trickle in, with the Highland and Island list vote expected last.

For a complete list of all the declaration times, click here.