As of 07:00 Thursday, polling stations have opened across England and Wales, extending voting rights to millions of eligible citizens.
The electoral landscape encompasses contests in 107 councils throughout England, alongside 11 mayoral races, reflecting the breadth of democratic engagement.
Additionally, voters across England and Wales will participate in the election of 37 police and crime commissioners (PCCs), underscoring the importance of local law enforcement and community representation.
A notable event in this electoral cycle is the by-election in Blackpool South, slated to fill the seat vacated by former Conservative MP Scott Benton.
Those voting in person must present one of the 22 approved forms of identification, which include passports and driving licenses, ensuring the integrity of the voting process.
Post-closure, the tallying of votes will commence at 22:00 on Thursday, with initial results anticipated shortly after midnight on Friday, May 3rd.
The flow of results will persist throughout Friday and over the ensuing weekend, with the final outcomes expected to be announced by Sunday afternoon.
Anticipation is high for the swift announcement of the winner in the Blackpool South by-election, projected to be disclosed early on Friday.
Moreover, the outcome of mayoral races, including those in Greater London, West Midlands, and Greater Manchester, will be unveiled on Friday and Saturday.
The declaration of results for the London Assembly elections is scheduled for Saturday as well, adding another layer of electoral significance.
Wrapping up the electoral process, a few remaining results pertaining to police commissioners and councils are slated to be unveiled on Sunday.
It’s worth noting that these elections are exclusive to England and Wales, with no corresponding contests in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
