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06/05/2010
Voting Begins In General Election
Polling day is here with millions of people across the UK casting their votes in the General Election.
Polling Stations up and down the country opened at 7am this morning and will remain open until 10pm tonight.
Some 44 million people are registered to vote and the first declarations are expected at 11pm tonight.
The vast majority of constituencies will however conduct their counts overnight, with about 20 not due to begin the process until after 9am on Friday.
Voters will be picking MPs for Westminster but they will also be electing councillors for local authorities across the country.
A string of eve-of-election opinion polls has gave David Cameron's Conservatives a clear lead over Labour and the Liberal Democrats, but suggested that the Tories will not reach the level of support they need to claim an overall majority in the House of Commons.
As voters began to cast their votes this morning, there was more genuine uncertainty about who would eventually emerge as Prime Minister than in any election since 1992 and a real expectation of a hung Parliament for the first time since 1974.
In a final 48 hours of frantic campaigning all three leaders last night issued appeals to activists to help get the vote out today.
David Cameron said it was the time for the Tories "to win" for Britain, while Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg urged voters to vote for them "to aim higher, don't settle for second best".
Gordon Brown finished his election trial by putting out a plea to wavering voters. He said: "At this moment of risk to our economy, at this moment of decision for our country, I ask you to come home to Labour."
The final newspaper polls of the campaign all put Conservatives in the lead with support ranging between 35% and 37%. The other two parties were vying for second place, with Labour apparently edging slightly ahead on 28%-29% and the Liberal Democrats on 26%-28%.
On an even swing, the figures would make the Tories the largest party, with between 268 and 294 seats in the House of Commons, but leave them well short of the 326 MPs Mr Cameron needs to lead a majority administration.
(LB/BMcc)
Polling Stations up and down the country opened at 7am this morning and will remain open until 10pm tonight.
Some 44 million people are registered to vote and the first declarations are expected at 11pm tonight.
The vast majority of constituencies will however conduct their counts overnight, with about 20 not due to begin the process until after 9am on Friday.
Voters will be picking MPs for Westminster but they will also be electing councillors for local authorities across the country.
A string of eve-of-election opinion polls has gave David Cameron's Conservatives a clear lead over Labour and the Liberal Democrats, but suggested that the Tories will not reach the level of support they need to claim an overall majority in the House of Commons.
As voters began to cast their votes this morning, there was more genuine uncertainty about who would eventually emerge as Prime Minister than in any election since 1992 and a real expectation of a hung Parliament for the first time since 1974.
In a final 48 hours of frantic campaigning all three leaders last night issued appeals to activists to help get the vote out today.
David Cameron said it was the time for the Tories "to win" for Britain, while Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg urged voters to vote for them "to aim higher, don't settle for second best".
Gordon Brown finished his election trial by putting out a plea to wavering voters. He said: "At this moment of risk to our economy, at this moment of decision for our country, I ask you to come home to Labour."
The final newspaper polls of the campaign all put Conservatives in the lead with support ranging between 35% and 37%. The other two parties were vying for second place, with Labour apparently edging slightly ahead on 28%-29% and the Liberal Democrats on 26%-28%.
On an even swing, the figures would make the Tories the largest party, with between 268 and 294 seats in the House of Commons, but leave them well short of the 326 MPs Mr Cameron needs to lead a majority administration.
(LB/BMcc)
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07 May 2015
Polling Stations Open For General Election Voting
Around 50,000 polling stations across the UK have opened to allow people to cast their votes in the General Election. Polls opened at 7am and will remain open until 10pm. Around 50 million people are registered to vote in this election, which will see 650 Westminster MPs elected.
Polling Stations Open For General Election Voting
Around 50,000 polling stations across the UK have opened to allow people to cast their votes in the General Election. Polls opened at 7am and will remain open until 10pm. Around 50 million people are registered to vote in this election, which will see 650 Westminster MPs elected.
15 April 2005
Concerns rise over potential postal vote fraud
Concerns are rising that a dramatic increase in postal voting applications could lead to fraud in the next general election. A Guardian survey of twenty key marginal constituencies indicated that postal voting was “soaring”, with applications in some areas increasing by more than 300% since the last general election in 2001.
Concerns rise over potential postal vote fraud
Concerns are rising that a dramatic increase in postal voting applications could lead to fraud in the next general election. A Guardian survey of twenty key marginal constituencies indicated that postal voting was “soaring”, with applications in some areas increasing by more than 300% since the last general election in 2001.
29 November 2012
Three By-Elections Begin
Voting has commenced in three parliamentary by-elections. Polling stations in Croydon North, Middlesbrough and Rotherham are open until 11pm. The Croydon and Middlesbrough contests were triggered by the deaths of MPs Malcolm Wicks and Sir Stuart Bell. The contest in Rotherham is due to the resignation of Denis MacShane.
Three By-Elections Begin
Voting has commenced in three parliamentary by-elections. Polling stations in Croydon North, Middlesbrough and Rotherham are open until 11pm. The Croydon and Middlesbrough contests were triggered by the deaths of MPs Malcolm Wicks and Sir Stuart Bell. The contest in Rotherham is due to the resignation of Denis MacShane.
05 May 2005
Voting under way in General Election
The British public have been heading out to the polls to decide the next government in today’s general election. Prime Minister Tony Blair was the first of the three main political leaders to cast his vote at his Sedgefield constituency. His wife Cherie and two sons Nicky and Euan joined Mr Blair this morning.
Voting under way in General Election
The British public have been heading out to the polls to decide the next government in today’s general election. Prime Minister Tony Blair was the first of the three main political leaders to cast his vote at his Sedgefield constituency. His wife Cherie and two sons Nicky and Euan joined Mr Blair this morning.
24 April 2003
Local election test ground for e-voting
New ways to vote, including Digital TV, text messaging, touch-tone telephone, internet and voting at electronic kiosks, are set to be piloted in English council elections. This year 17 e-voting pilot schemes are taking place, giving 1.4 million people the opportunity to vote electronically.
Local election test ground for e-voting
New ways to vote, including Digital TV, text messaging, touch-tone telephone, internet and voting at electronic kiosks, are set to be piloted in English council elections. This year 17 e-voting pilot schemes are taking place, giving 1.4 million people the opportunity to vote electronically.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
