As polls close in local council and mayoral elections across England, the wait for results begins. When can we expect to know the outcome of these elections?
When Will We Know the Results?
Polls have closed in local council and mayoral elections across parts of England, marking the first local elections since the general election was held in July 2024.
Elections Taking Place Across England
Elections are taking place in 23 councils across England, with all seats up for contest. The contested councils include:
English local elections are held to elect representatives for local councils, such as district councils and county councils.
These elections determine the administration of local services like waste management, transportation, and education.
They are usually held every four years on a fixed date in May or June.
Voters elect councillors using a first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the most votes wins a seat.
Local elections also often coincide with European Parliament elections and mayoral contests.
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14 county councils: Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Devon, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire
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8 unitary authorities: Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, County Durham, North Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Shropshire, West Northamptonshire, and Wiltshire
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1 metropolitan district: Doncaster
Additionally, six mayoral elections are happening across England. These include:
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The West of England
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Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
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North Tyneside
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Doncaster
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For the first time, Greater Lincolnshire and Hull and East Yorkshire
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The Isles of Scilly also have council elections.
When Can We Expect Results?
With polls closed, the wait for results has begun. The expected timing of calls to be made includes:
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02:00: North Tyneside and West of England mayoral results are expected
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03:00: Runcorn & Helsby by-election result is expected, with possible early results in the Greater Lincolnshire mayoral race
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05:00: Results from the Doncaster mayoral election could be announced
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07:00: We might have Northumberland’s full council results
The Role of Local Councils and Mayors
Local councils are responsible for various local services, including:
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Care for the elderly and disabled
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Fixing potholes on some roads
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Collecting rubbish and recycling
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Housing
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Education
A single authority mayor is the political leader of a council, delivering local council services. Metro mayors, on the other hand, are regional leaders who chair combined authorities, setting out plans to boost their local economy and having powers over housing and transport.
A mayor is the chief executive of a municipal government, responsible for overseeing various aspects of city administration.
The key roles of a mayor include setting policy agendas, managing budgets, and coordinating public services such as law enforcement, sanitation, and transportation.
Mayors also serve as ceremonial figures, representing their cities in official events and fostering relationships with local businesses and organizations.
According to the International City/County Management Association, there are approximately 19,000 mayors worldwide, each contributing to the governance of their respective communities.
BBC Reporting Guidelines
The BBC follows detailed election guidelines for each election, outlining its approach to reporting polling day. On polling day, it is a criminal offence to report details of campaigning or local election issues until 22:00. Once polls have closed, the guidelines no longer apply, but the BBC must still report results with impartiality.
Getting Involved
Tell us the election issues that matter to you and catch up on all our election stories for full coverage.
Getting involved in elections is a fundamental right and responsibility of citizens in a democratic society.
Voting is the most basic form of civic engagement, but it's not the only way to participate.
Volunteering for campaigns, joining voter registration drives, or serving as an election official are all ways to contribute to the electoral process.
According to the US Census Bureau, only about 60% of eligible voters cast ballots in presidential elections.
Increasing participation can lead to more representative governments and better decision-making.
- bbc.com | When will we know the results?
