Scotland Independence Vote: Lawrence O'Neill, Scottish Politician, Punched In Face As 'Vote Yes Or Else' Graffiti Scrawled On Polling Place

The Scottish independence referendum grew heated Thursday after a pro-union politician was reportedly punched in the face by an independence supporter and graffiti threatening Scots to “vote yes or else” was discovered at a polling place in Ballott. The election results will decide whether Scotland will secede from the United Kingdom or remain in the union.

Lawrence O’Neill, a member of the West Dunbartonshire Council near Glasgow, was reportedly punched in the face by a Yes supporter, according to Jackie Baillie, a member of the Scottish Parliament and a No supporter.

Baillie called the graffiti part of an attempt to “threaten and intimidate” voters who want Scotland to keep its ties to the U.K. Record turnout is expected for the referendum, which got underway 7 a.m. Thursday local time.