Liam McArthur called the 'U-turn' by the SNP and called for the rest of the UK to follow (Image: Ken Jack / Getty)
The legislation will also extend to around 55,000 foreign nationals legally resident in Scotland, including refugees and successful asylum seekers.
The Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Bill follows the move to give voting rights to 16 and 17-year-olds.
It will include measures that would allow prisoners serving sentences of 12 months or less to cast their ballot.
According to the most recent figures from 2017/18, this would include 101 violent criminals convicted of attempted murder or serious assault and 73 robbers.
There were also 98 sexual offenders sentenced to 12 months or less, as well as 329 people convicted of handling offensive weapons and 479 drug offenders.
15 years ago, the European Court of Human Rights ruled against laws preventing prisoners from voting (Image: Wikipedia )
There is a blanket ban that prevents convicted prisoners from voting in the UK but the European Court of Human Rights ruled against this 15 years ago.
Ever since, successive governments north and south of the Border have resisted changing the law and the Scottish Government blocked prisoners from taking part in the 2014 independence referendum.
At the time, Nicola Sturgeon said: “The government is very clear that we don’t think convicted prisoners who are serving a prison sentence should be able to vote in a referendum process.”
Last night, Scottish Lib Dem justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP welcomed the “U-turn” by the SNP and called for the rest of the UK to follow.
He said: “The blanket ban flouts international law and no other developed European democracy does it. It isn’t fair, progressive or in the interests of rehabilitation.
We know to reduce re-offending we need to make people more aware of their responsibilities as citizens, instead of alienating them.”
However, Scottish Conservative equalities spokeswoman Annie Wells said: “We look forward to engaging fully in this Bill, and to seeking agreement where possible on the franchise.
“We do remain firmly opposed to prisoner voting, regardless of how long they’ve been inside for.”
Parliamentary Business Manager Graeme Dey said ministers had decided not to extend voting rights to all prisoners. He said: “We are confident that restricting prisoner voting to those serving sentences of less than 12 months means we can comply with the court’s ruling.
“This measure will also support rehabilitation and reintegration back in to society in order to reduce re-offending.”
Mr Dey added that it was “only fair” foreign nationals living in Scotland could vote and stand in Scottish Parliament and Scottish council elections.
It would not apply in UK general elections, where the franchise is controlled by Westminster.
Mr Dey said: “Scotland has already led the way by lowering the voting age to 16 and we are building on this progress by extending the right to vote to everyone legally resident here.
Scottish Conservative equalities spokeswoman Annie Wells remains firmly opposed to the legislation (Image: Alan Peebles)
“Extending
