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12/22/2024 08:21:30 pm

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Scotland Rejects Independence From UK In Historic Vote With Unprecedented Turnout

Scotland's referendum

(Photo : Reuters/Dylan Martinez) Campaigners for Scotland's independence wave Scottish Saltires in a 'Yes' rally in Glasgow, September 17, 2014.

Scotland voters rejected independence from United Kingdom in a record-breaking turnout that resulted in 55-44 percent in favor of retaining the union established since 1707, according to NBC News.

Initially, the pro-independence camp seemed to have the lead when votes from 22 out of the 32 regions in the country had been tallied. But the final results declared at 6:10 a.m. local time (1:10 a.m. ET) showed the anti-independence camp tipped the 50 percent cap it needed to win.

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"We've taken on the argument and we've won," said Better Together anti-independence leader Alistair Darling during his victory speech.

Darling acknowledged that the referendum had caused deep political divisiveness in the nation but promised to address issues decried by the separatist camp.

First Minister Alex Salmond, who had his sights set on bringing an independent Scotland to reality, accepted the defeat. He thanked the country's 1.5 million citizens who voted in favor of independence that has made an historical impact on British politics.

Salmond called on the people to accept the verdict and respect the results of the democratic process.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron, who previously implored the Scots from voting against the separation and promised to grant extra powers to Scotland's government should the UK remain whole, expressed his delight at the results.

Cameron said the four nations - England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland - should take this opportunity to once again come together and move forward.

However, Cameron may have to deal with backlash from some lawmakers of his Conservative Party who were angered by his promises of granting greater autonomy to Scotland. They said similar powers should be granted to England and called for the establishment of an independent English Parliament, The New York Times relayed.

Turnout for Scotland's independence referendum was at a historic high. In East Dubartonshire, voter turnout was at 91 percent while in northwestern Knoydart, 100 percent of its 98 registered voters attended the polls.

Scotland capital Edinburgh voted in favor of anti-independence while Glasgow, the country's second largest city voted against it.

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