The contenders (l to r): Russell, Cunningham and Salmond

Postal ballot forms were accepted up until midday on Tuesday and more than 79% of the party's 8,000-strong membership took part.

The result in the contest to be John Swinney's successor will be declared this Friday.

Alex Salmond, Mike Russell and Roseanna Cunningham are contesting the leadership position.

Nicola Sturgeon, Fergus Ewing and Christine Grahame are standing for the deputy leadership.

Mr Salmond, the party's Westminster group leader, has already served a period as SNP national convener and sprung a surprise when he announced his intention to stand again after initially ruling himself out.

Ms Sturgeon at first declared that she would stand for the leadership.

However, when Mr Salmond threw his hat in the ring she announced that she would run with him and contest the deputy's position.

Fellow MSPs Mr Ewing and Ms Grahame also put their names forward.