Polling stations across the UK have now opened to allow voters to elect councillors and Police and Crime Commissioners for their local area.
People have until 10pm tonight to cast their vote in the largest local election since 1973 following the reorganisation of local government.
Scheduled elections were postponed in 2020 following the emergency Coronavirus Act, meaning that the serving elected officials remained in their posts for an additional 12 months.
Coronavirus is expected to be the most important issue to voters in the elections, despite the fact that key decisions on the pandemic are made at a national level. A survey conducted by the University of Essex nonetheless found that 59 per cent of respondents ranked coronavirus as their highest priority issue.
Under normal circumstances, the first set of results would be expected as early as midnight, but delays are anticipated as a result of coronavirus regulations.
19 of the 143 council areas are expected to announce a result on Friday morning with Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Sunderland and Thurrock expected to announce the first set of results. The result of the by-election in Hartlepool is also expected to be known by Friday morning.
74 councils will start to count votes on Friday morning, with a result expected later in the day. Others will start throughout the weekend, with some results being announced late on Sunday.
Expected reults (guide only) Friday 5pm – Cambridge, Cambridgeshire,
The results of the city and county council elections will be announced on Friday 7 May.
- Cambridgeshire County Council election results, 6 May 2021
(The link will work when the results are announced)
The results of the elections for the Mayor of the Combined Authority for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and the Police and Crime Commissioner will be announced on Saturday 8 May.
