Police are investigating allegations of voter fraud in Scotland amid claims that a ballot box was tampered with in Paisley and that people arriving at polling stations in Glasgow found their vote had already been cast.

Three claims of voter fraud have been made in Glasgow connected to constituencies Glasgow Central, North and South, while police are also inspecting ballots in seats Paisley and Renfrewshire North and Renfrewshire South.

A ballot paper has also been reportedly taken away for forensic examination in Stirling.

The Electoral Commission has said voter fraud is taken 'very seriously' and can lead to a two-year jail sentence.

Police are investigating alleged voter fraud in Paisley amid claims a ballot box was tampered with. Police are pictured inspecting ballots in Stirling, where one was taken away for forensic examination

Renfrewshire council has said in a statement that the number of votes cast is being counted in SNP-held constituencies Paisley and Renfrewshire North and Renfrewshire South. Police are pictured here investigating ballot papers in Paisley

The count in Lagoon Leisure centre, Renfrewshire, where votes are being investigated by police following allegations of voter fraud

Worried members of the public have alleged a ballot box was tampered with at Lagoon Leisure centre in Paisley.

Renfrewshire council said in a statement: 'We have been made aware of an incident earlier today in the Paisley and Renfrewshire North constituency where a member of the public arrived at a polling station to place a vote to find that it had already been cast by another member of the public.

'The matter was reported to Police Scotland and as such is now subject to a police investigation.'

Glasgow City council said three allegations of 'personation' had been made, where someone attends a polling station to find their vote has already been cast.

'This is a matter for police', they told MailOnline in a statement, 'however our counting staff are given the task of finding the relevant papers so they can be preserved as evidence.'

Counting pictured starting at the SEC Centre in Glasgow this evening

Furious voters have claimed they are victims of electoral fraud after being turned away from polling stations (Pictured: Students protest outside Liberty Hall in Cardiff after an error meant they were refused the right to vote)

It comes as furious voters have claimed they are victims of electoral fraud after being turned away from polling stations because their names and addresses had already been crossed off.

In allegations of voter fraud across the country, one woman in London has alleged she was told someone had already voted from her address, while a Hackney resident claimed that someone she doesn't know has registered at her address and two others.

Acting Conservative leader in Scotland Jackson Carlaw has also been accused of voter fraud after uploading photos of himself sending a postal vote as well as casting his ballot at a polling station.

Students have been pictured protesting outside in Cardiff after a council error meant residents at Liberty Hall were refused the right to vote.

Taking to social media to vent her shock Liz, from London, wrote: 'At the polling station and someone is being told she's already voted today from that address!'

In a second case today, Millie Mollie Zee, took to Twitter to show her frustration.

'Just been to vote and guess what?', she said, 'Someone has voted in my name already today! I'm fuming!

'Stood here waiting for the manager to ring them back - Labour area and all.'

She was initially turned away but, after reporting the fraud to the Electoral Commisson, she was allowed to vote in her constituency.

And, in a third case in Hackney, London, a woman said when she went to vote she discovered a woman she does not know has registered at her address, and two others.

'Went to vote earlier, person unknown at my address is still on the register to vote', she said on social media.

'I asked the poll clerks to ensure they do not vote as it would be fraudulent as she has admitted to registering at three separate addresses to get extra votes. They would not remove her.'

Scottish Conservative leader Mr Carlaw has also been accused of fraudulent voting.

On November 30 he posted a tweet reading: 'Sending my postal vote for @PM4EastRen and speaking to residents across the constituency.'

And, today, he tweeted: 'I've just voted at Clarkston Hall for @PM4EastRen.

'I voted to stop IndyRef2 and to get Nicola Sturgeon focused back on your schools and your hospitals, not separation.'

Explaining the reason for appearing to vote twice, the politician said on Twitter that he cast votes this morning 'on behalf of constituents'.

Acting Conservative leader in Scotland Jackson Carlaw was also accused of electoral fraud after posting photos of himself sending a postal vote on November 30 and preparing to vote at a polling station

Voters have also criticised the UK's voting system, after saying that poll clerks had told them their name.

One tweeted: 'Just been to vote, lady at counter not happy at all, not received voting card, though received for last 20 years of living at same house.

'My turn, told them my address, he asked me if I was Paul Miller...

'I said, shouldn't I be telling YOU that... Not good.'

In a statement, the Electoral Commission said they take 'elecotral fraud very seriously'.

'While proven cases of electoral fraud are rare, it remains a serious crime and those who commit it can be sentenced to time in prison,' said a spokesman.

'The primary responsibility for combating electoral fraud lies with the (Acting) Returning Officer and the Electoral Registration Officer(s) for each area, who work closely with their local police force.'

They recommended that anyone concerned about electoral fraud should read their media handbook.

Cases of suspected electoral fraud should be reported to the police or crimestoppers.

Polls are open until 10pm this evening.