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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2016/jun/23/eu-referendum-live-decision-day-polls-remain-leave
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| European Union referendum: final hours of polling in historic vote – live | European Union referendum: final hours of polling in historic vote – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 6.34pm BST | |
| 18:34 | |
| A reader has got in touch to say that turnout may not be high everywhere: | |
| @Haroon_Siddique for balance re turnout: dad is poll clerk in Dudley, says pretty slow so far, maybe 40% only | |
| 6.32pm BST | |
| 18:32 | |
| Turnout of 70% to 80% expected in Scotland | |
| Severin Carrell | |
| Scotland’s chief returning officer, Mary Pitcaithly, has predicted overall turnout in Scotland will reach around 70-80% after a day of “steady” voting at polling stations. | |
| Pitcaithly told BBC Radio Scotland she did not expect turnout to reach the 85% seen in the Scottish independence referendum in September 2014, which she oversaw, but agreed it would still be high. | |
| Only 56% of Scotland’s 4m strong electorate turned out for May’s Holyrood elections, but 71% did so in last year’s UK general election. | |
| The chief executive for Falkirk council, she is due to announce Scotland’s regional result after collating the count data from 32 local councils at around breakfast time. | |
| 6.30pm BST | |
| 18:30 | |
| Voters stuck at Waterloo station | |
| The storms have brought Waterloo station to a standstill, potentially affecting thousands of passengers who may not have voted. | |
| The station is a major hub for people commuting from outside London many of whom would likely have left in the morning too early to vote. | |
| Many people have taken to social media to express concern that they miss the 10pm deadline. | |
| Or maybe stuck at Waterloo, watching the crowds, destined to rue my missed vote for evermore pic.twitter.com/QuSeg918iq | |
| Still stuck on a @SW_Trains train in Waterloo. Can I apply for an emergency proxy vote? #wexit | |
| I did want to vote #referendum #waterloo pic.twitter.com/1P4Qm6frdv | |
| Can't vote if we are all stuck at Waterloo station, this may cause an issue! #EUref #EUreferendum | |
| 6.14pm BST | 6.14pm BST |
| 18:14 | 18:14 |
| More on the pens saga from PA, which reports that police were called to a polling station where a woman was handing out pens to fellow voters after a volunteer reported a “disturbance”. | More on the pens saga from PA, which reports that police were called to a polling station where a woman was handing out pens to fellow voters after a volunteer reported a “disturbance”. |
| A Sussex Police spokesman said: | A Sussex Police spokesman said: |
| Police were called to Durnford Close, Chichester, at around 12.25pm on Thursday 23 June by a volunteer reporting a disturbance outside a polling station. A PCSO [police community support officer] who was in the area went to the scene and spoke with a woman who was handing out pens. | Police were called to Durnford Close, Chichester, at around 12.25pm on Thursday 23 June by a volunteer reporting a disturbance outside a polling station. A PCSO [police community support officer] who was in the area went to the scene and spoke with a woman who was handing out pens. |
| No offences were committed and it was not being treated as a police matter, the spokesman added. | No offences were committed and it was not being treated as a police matter, the spokesman added. |
| Concerns have been expressed on social media that votes not written in ink could be rubbed out and altered. | Concerns have been expressed on social media that votes not written in ink could be rubbed out and altered. |
| 5.56pm BST | 5.56pm BST |
| 17:56 | 17:56 |
| There are some interesting tweets about turnout coming through: | There are some interesting tweets about turnout coming through: |
| Experienced clerk in a Dorset polling station predicts turnout there by 10pm (incl postal votes already received) between 78% - 82%. #EUref | Experienced clerk in a Dorset polling station predicts turnout there by 10pm (incl postal votes already received) between 78% - 82%. #EUref |
| Some places in Leicestershire seeing record turnout too and record postal votes, I'm told | Some places in Leicestershire seeing record turnout too and record postal votes, I'm told |
| 5.52pm BST | 5.52pm BST |
| 17:52 | 17:52 |
| Randeep Ramesh | Randeep Ramesh |
| Schools in Bristol, painted as a great Remain heartland, ran mock referenda today. Of course it’s not the real thing and only a bit of a laugh but there was an interesting split. In the affluent northern suburb at Redland Green school, of the 475 staff and pupils who voted, 440 backed staying in the EU. That’s 93% of the vote. | Schools in Bristol, painted as a great Remain heartland, ran mock referenda today. Of course it’s not the real thing and only a bit of a laugh but there was an interesting split. In the affluent northern suburb at Redland Green school, of the 475 staff and pupils who voted, 440 backed staying in the EU. That’s 93% of the vote. |
| Meanwhile in the less well-off southern fringe of Hartcliffe, students were more evenly split. Pupils at Bridge Learning Campus in Hartcliffe backed remain. | Meanwhile in the less well-off southern fringe of Hartcliffe, students were more evenly split. Pupils at Bridge Learning Campus in Hartcliffe backed remain. |
| In the @Bristol_BLC EU referendum students voted to remain by 51% with a turnout of 61% Thanks for taking part! | In the @Bristol_BLC EU referendum students voted to remain by 51% with a turnout of 61% Thanks for taking part! |
| 5.48pm BST | 5.48pm BST |
| 17:48 | 17:48 |
| Henry McDonald | Henry McDonald |
| Some interesting constituency by constituency figures are coming out of Northern Ireland which show that voting is slow in republican areas while unionist districts are recording higher votes. | Some interesting constituency by constituency figures are coming out of Northern Ireland which show that voting is slow in republican areas while unionist districts are recording higher votes. |
| In North Down - the most affluent constituency in Northern Ireland - polling stations were reporting that 22% of the electorate had voted by lunchtime today. Usually North Down records one of the lowest electoral turn outs in Westminster and Stormont Assembly elections. | In North Down - the most affluent constituency in Northern Ireland - polling stations were reporting that 22% of the electorate had voted by lunchtime today. Usually North Down records one of the lowest electoral turn outs in Westminster and Stormont Assembly elections. |
| In sharp contrast, by midday one polling station in the republican heartland of West Belfast was reporting a 7% turnout. | In sharp contrast, by midday one polling station in the republican heartland of West Belfast was reporting a 7% turnout. |
| Meanwhile in republican/nationalist dominated Derry turnout was around 11.5% by lunchtime in the Foyle constituency. | Meanwhile in republican/nationalist dominated Derry turnout was around 11.5% by lunchtime in the Foyle constituency. |
| Overall the Electoral Office in Northern Ireland expect the region-wide turnout to be close to 70%, which would be 15 percentage points higher than last month’s election to the devolved assembly. | Overall the Electoral Office in Northern Ireland expect the region-wide turnout to be close to 70%, which would be 15 percentage points higher than last month’s election to the devolved assembly. |
| South Belfast, regarded as the most liberal constituency in Northern Ireland, was reporting voting turnout of up to 21% in some polling stations by the middle of the day. | South Belfast, regarded as the most liberal constituency in Northern Ireland, was reporting voting turnout of up to 21% in some polling stations by the middle of the day. |
| 5.41pm BST | 5.41pm BST |
| 17:41 | 17:41 |
| Ione Wells | Ione Wells |
| After the BBC reported earlier this week that poll station staff were receiving “training in what a selfie is”, with the hope of preventing photography whilst people vote, it appears smartphones are posing a threat to the privacy of poll booths. | After the BBC reported earlier this week that poll station staff were receiving “training in what a selfie is”, with the hope of preventing photography whilst people vote, it appears smartphones are posing a threat to the privacy of poll booths. |
| Taking a photo inside a polling station is not of itself against the law but section 66 of the Representation of the People act says | Taking a photo inside a polling station is not of itself against the law but section 66 of the Representation of the People act says |
| No person shall communicate at any time to any person any information obtained in a polling station as to the referendum answer for which a voter in that station is about to vote or has voted | No person shall communicate at any time to any person any information obtained in a polling station as to the referendum answer for which a voter in that station is about to vote or has voted |
| Many social media users have taken photographs, including Henry Smith, Conservative MP for Crawley. Smith tweeted a photograph of his completed ballot paper. The tweet received a mixed reception from other users, with several suggesting he had committed electoral misconduct. | Many social media users have taken photographs, including Henry Smith, Conservative MP for Crawley. Smith tweeted a photograph of his completed ballot paper. The tweet received a mixed reception from other users, with several suggesting he had committed electoral misconduct. |
| 5.22pm BST | 5.22pm BST |
| 17:22 | 17:22 |
| Here is a round-up of the key developments so far today: | Here is a round-up of the key developments so far today: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.48pm BST | at 5.48pm BST |
| 5.12pm BST | 5.12pm BST |
| 17:12 | 17:12 |
| Pound and FTSE close up | Pound and FTSE close up |
| Katie Allen | Katie Allen |
| Investors have put their money on a vote to remain in Britain’s EU referendum, with the pound hitting a new high for 2016 and the FTSE 100 share index rallying strongly. | Investors have put their money on a vote to remain in Britain’s EU referendum, with the pound hitting a new high for 2016 and the FTSE 100 share index rallying strongly. |
| As the market exuberance of recent trading sessions continued throughout polling day itself, there were, however, fresh warnings that investors were setting themselves up for heavy losses in the event of a Brexit when the outcome of the referendum becomes clear on Friday. | As the market exuberance of recent trading sessions continued throughout polling day itself, there were, however, fresh warnings that investors were setting themselves up for heavy losses in the event of a Brexit when the outcome of the referendum becomes clear on Friday. |
| The pound broke through $1.49 against the dollar for the first time since December before shedding some of those gains in afternoon trading to stand at $1.4799 (still up 0.6% on the day). The FTSE 100 index of leading shares added a solid 1.2%, or 77 points, to close at 6338 - the highest for eight weeks. | The pound broke through $1.49 against the dollar for the first time since December before shedding some of those gains in afternoon trading to stand at $1.4799 (still up 0.6% on the day). The FTSE 100 index of leading shares added a solid 1.2%, or 77 points, to close at 6338 - the highest for eight weeks. |
| Chris Saint, senior analyst at financial firm Hargreaves Lansdown Currency, said: | Chris Saint, senior analyst at financial firm Hargreaves Lansdown Currency, said: |
| Clearly the key issue now for currency markets is whether rising expectations that the status quo will prevail are well-placed. | Clearly the key issue now for currency markets is whether rising expectations that the status quo will prevail are well-placed. |
| Most of the results from the local counting areas are expected by the early hours of tomorrow morning with the official outcome anticipated by around breakfast time. Dramatic exchange rate swings are to be expected regardless of the result, with a sharp drop in the pound’s value possible in the event of a Brexit. | Most of the results from the local counting areas are expected by the early hours of tomorrow morning with the official outcome anticipated by around breakfast time. Dramatic exchange rate swings are to be expected regardless of the result, with a sharp drop in the pound’s value possible in the event of a Brexit. |
| Shares and the pound were higher from the open and got an extra fillip in morning trading after the publication of an Ipsos Mori poll conducted for the Evening Standard newspaper showed a four-point lead for remain. | Shares and the pound were higher from the open and got an extra fillip in morning trading after the publication of an Ipsos Mori poll conducted for the Evening Standard newspaper showed a four-point lead for remain. |
| “Even though we all know that polls can be rubbish, the markets seem quite happy that the remain camp has done enough to win,” said Kathleen Brooks, research director at spread-betting firm City Index. | “Even though we all know that polls can be rubbish, the markets seem quite happy that the remain camp has done enough to win,” said Kathleen Brooks, research director at spread-betting firm City Index. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.42pm BST | at 5.42pm BST |
| 4.35pm BST | 4.35pm BST |
| 16:35 | 16:35 |
| Vote Leave accused of belittling Londoners and Scots | Vote Leave accused of belittling Londoners and Scots |
| It may be polling day but there is no respite from the bitterness between the two opposing campaigns. | It may be polling day but there is no respite from the bitterness between the two opposing campaigns. |
| Stronger in Europe has hit out at a plea by Vote Leave chief executive Matthew Elliot, sent by email to Brexit supporters, urging them to vote, because: | Stronger in Europe has hit out at a plea by Vote Leave chief executive Matthew Elliot, sent by email to Brexit supporters, urging them to vote, because: |
| There is a very real chance that voters in London and Scotland will vote to keep us in the EU today despite the heartlands of the country voting to leave. | There is a very real chance that voters in London and Scotland will vote to keep us in the EU today despite the heartlands of the country voting to leave. |
| The email includes a photo of a queue outside a polling station in a “leafy London suburb”. | The email includes a photo of a queue outside a polling station in a “leafy London suburb”. |
| Chuka Umunna, Labour MP for Streatham, said: | Chuka Umunna, Labour MP for Streatham, said: |
| Vote Leave are ending this campaign as they began it – by seeking to divide our country not unite it, turning regions, nations and communities against one another. | Vote Leave are ending this campaign as they began it – by seeking to divide our country not unite it, turning regions, nations and communities against one another. |
| Londoners and Scots have as much right to exercise their democratic choice as anyone else. Implying that our votes are somehow less legitimate than those cast in other parts of Britain is utterly disgraceful. | Londoners and Scots have as much right to exercise their democratic choice as anyone else. Implying that our votes are somehow less legitimate than those cast in other parts of Britain is utterly disgraceful. |
| The @vote_leave campaign team not just desperate but weird. Since when did London/Scotland stop being UK heartlands? pic.twitter.com/rJz41e5Jzw | The @vote_leave campaign team not just desperate but weird. Since when did London/Scotland stop being UK heartlands? pic.twitter.com/rJz41e5Jzw |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.58pm BST | at 4.58pm BST |
| 4.29pm BST | 4.29pm BST |
| 16:29 | 16:29 |
| Ione Wells | Ione Wells |
| Pollsters have suggested that the elderly are more likely to vote and more likely to vote “leave”. So the vote by Keith Adams’s mum today may come as little surprise but it was the way she exercised her democratic right that got it trending on Twitter. | Pollsters have suggested that the elderly are more likely to vote and more likely to vote “leave”. So the vote by Keith Adams’s mum today may come as little surprise but it was the way she exercised her democratic right that got it trending on Twitter. |
| Just took 93yr Mum to vote, she's registered blind. In a very loud voice she said, "Which box for out?" A cheer went up from waiting voters | Just took 93yr Mum to vote, she's registered blind. In a very loud voice she said, "Which box for out?" A cheer went up from waiting voters |
| Twitter users all across the country appropriated Adams’ post to tell people what their 93-year-old mums are contributing to the poll station, from the serious to the utterly bizarre: | Twitter users all across the country appropriated Adams’ post to tell people what their 93-year-old mums are contributing to the poll station, from the serious to the utterly bizarre: |
| Just took my 93 year old mum to vote. She's registered blind. She shouted "Expecto Patronum" to banish the Dementors. Everyone cheered. | Just took my 93 year old mum to vote. She's registered blind. She shouted "Expecto Patronum" to banish the Dementors. Everyone cheered. |
| Took 93yr old mum and her friend to vote. #EUref pic.twitter.com/p0R1Ku2Y6P | Took 93yr old mum and her friend to vote. #EUref pic.twitter.com/p0R1Ku2Y6P |
| Just took 93yr Mum to vote, she's registered blind. She's unaware I took her to Ladbrokes where she voted for Iceland to win the Euros | Just took 93yr Mum to vote, she's registered blind. She's unaware I took her to Ladbrokes where she voted for Iceland to win the Euros |
| “Keith” and “93 yr mum” have both trended on Twitter today. | “Keith” and “93 yr mum” have both trended on Twitter today. |
| Adams has since written a blog post in response to trolling he received as a result of his post, condemning his critics for their “entire premise...that being brexit invalidates anything else”. | Adams has since written a blog post in response to trolling he received as a result of his post, condemning his critics for their “entire premise...that being brexit invalidates anything else”. |