The SNP has been accused of blocking its own members from attending leadership debates by booking small hustings venues.
Some venues booked by the Party, which claims to have more than 100,000 members, will have room for only a few hundred seats.
The Scottish National Party has faced backlash for attempting to impose a blackout on the events for the media and public.
One of the largest venues booked for the hustings was a hall attached to a shopping centre in Glenrothes, Fife.
Humza Yousaf is the favoured candidate of the party establishment
PA
Another hustings event in Glasgow will be held in a university lecture theatre which has space for just 450 people.
The party also booked the OnTouch Theatre in Inverness which has room for 250 people – even though there is a larger 840-capacity space at the same venue.
Across the eight venues where in-person hustings will be held, there is a capacity for fewer than 5,000 people.
Initially, the party claimed that events would not be broadcast or open to media in order to create a “safe space” where party members can quiz candidates.
But sources on both Kate Forbes and Ash Regan campaigns have suggested the move to book a small venues was to shield Humza Yousaf from scrutiny.
Yousaf has said he has no issue with the media being allowed to broadcast proceedings after his challengers both called for them to be opened up.
Regan said: “I’d like to speak to as many members as possible. It’s nice that each region has been included, but we’ve had online conferences for the full membership – so I’m sure we could have gone wider.
“I’m hoping the media carry the full events online so people can see what we have to say. It’s important our members have space and time to ask questions.”
The SNP hustings began on Wednesday at the Cumbernauld Theatre at Lanternhouse, where the full seated capacity is just 305.
It covered topics from Scottish independence to the Scottish NHS and the economy.
Health Secretary, Yousaf pitched his speech around his experience in government and the delivery of a progressive agenda in Scotland.
Forbes focused on growing the economy and renewed urgency with independence.
Regan, the former minister and gender rebel positioned herself as a change candidate with ideas about rejoining the European Union and challenging the Section 35 order around the gender recognition reform bill.
Tickets for the hustings are understood to have been grabbed by members within hours which left many unhappy that they will be unable to see a candidate at a party event.
SNP members have accused the party of 'shutting out' other members
PA
Last summer, when the Conservatives chose between Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak to become party leader and Prime Minister, all hustings events were streamed online for anyone to watch.
Yousaf also suggested larger venues should have been booked, saying:“From day one of this campaign, I’ve been running a grassroots campaign to engage with the SNP membership who will decide who is the best candidate to lead our party.
“All SNP members should have the opportunity to hear from the candidates directly and that includes the organised regional and online hustings.
“I have been speaking with our grassroots members every single day and my campaign to be the next SNP Leader will continue to be membership led.”
