Nicola Sturgeon has made no decisions on whether she will stand for election in 2026.

SNP members interested in contesting the vote had until noon today to let the National Executive Committee know of their intentions.

The former first minister was widely expected to step down from her Glasgow Southside seat, which she has held since 2007.

However, The Herald understands that Ms Sturgeon is keeping her options open.

For this to be the case, the former SNP leader would need to have submitted an application to the NEC.

It comes as her successor, Humza Yousaf submitted his application to stand for Holyrood in 2026.

Sources close to Mr Yousaf told the Daily Record that Mr Yousaf has put his name forward.

However, both he and Ms Sturgeon could still decide at a later date to stand down.

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And it does not necessarily mean he will be the party's candidate for Glasgow Pollok, with the party's internal vetting process now triggered.

A selection process will now follow from the SNP with candidates in place by April 2025, more than a year before the May 2026 vote.

Ms Sturgeon shocked the country when she announced she would step down as SNP leader and first minister in February 2023, after around eight years in the job.

She has dominated much of the discussions around the future of the SNP and is still under investigation as part of Police Scotland's investigation into party finances, known as Operation Branchform.

The police investigation into what happened to £600,000 of party donations saw Peter Murrell, former chief executive, and husband of the former first minister, charged with embezzlement.

Ms Sturgeon and former treasurer and current Midlothian North and Musselburgh MSP Colin Beattie, were arrested in connection with the probe but were released without charge pending further investigation.

A close ally previously told the Sunday Times that "there's no way she will stand again".

An SNP spokesperson said: “The SNP is lucky to count on a strong and diverse set of candidates.

"We look forward to offering people the opportunity to vote SNP in 2026 for SNP candidates who will work tirelessly to improve the lives of people across Scotland and for an SNP Scottish Government that provides an alternative to Labour cuts.”

So far, only James Dornan and Christine Grahame have said they will not seek re-election.

John Mason - who was recently kicked out of the SNP - has also confirmed he intends to stand down in 2026.

Fergus Ewing told The Herald he had applied to stand again.

In July, 39 of the party's MPs lost their seats at the general election, with Labour sweeping votes off the party.

It is thought many of the MPs who lost their seats could seek a seat in the Scottish Parliament in May 2026.

With all former SNP MPs in Glasgow losing their seats, there could be plenty of options if Ms Sturgeon and Mr Yousaf do not contest the seats.

Glasgow North's Alison Thewliss is widely tipped for a Holyrood bid.

And while he did not lose his seat, Stephen Flynn, the SNP's leader at Westminster, could throw his hat into the ring.

Speaking to journalists in September, he said: “It's not often that you win elections, it's not often that you get re-elected. I'm very fortunate in that regard to have done so in Aberdeen South, the first SNP MP to ever be re-elected.

“And I've got a job to do for those folk. That's my priority just now, it will be my priority for the next few months, and obviously, then next year, I'll make a decision.”

There are questions too over former health secretary Michael Matheson. He has already seen off calls to resign after he served a 27-day ban over an iPad roaming bill of nearly £11,000.

He apologised, paid back the bill and resigned from government in February.