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Voters to decide on London mayor | Voters to decide on London mayor |
(29 minutes later) | |
Millions of Londoners are going to the polls to end months of fierce rivalry in the fight to become London mayor. | Millions of Londoners are going to the polls to end months of fierce rivalry in the fight to become London mayor. |
There are 10 candidates including Labour's Ken Livingstone, Conservative Boris Johnson and Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick. | There are 10 candidates including Labour's Ken Livingstone, Conservative Boris Johnson and Liberal Democrat Brian Paddick. |
The result, which is decided by a system under which electors name their first and second choices, is not expected until Friday evening. | The result, which is decided by a system under which electors name their first and second choices, is not expected until Friday evening. |
They will also vote for the 25 members of the London Assembly. | They will also vote for the 25 members of the London Assembly. |
Polls opened at 0700 BST and close at 2200 BST. | Polls opened at 0700 BST and close at 2200 BST. |
The other candidates are Richard Barnbrook of the BNP; Gerard Batten of the UK Independence Party; Sian Berry of the Green Party; Alan Craig of Christian Choice; the Left List's Lindsey German; independent Winston McKenzie; and Matt O'Connor for the English Democrats. | The other candidates are Richard Barnbrook of the BNP; Gerard Batten of the UK Independence Party; Sian Berry of the Green Party; Alan Craig of Christian Choice; the Left List's Lindsey German; independent Winston McKenzie; and Matt O'Connor for the English Democrats. |
Supplementary vote | Supplementary vote |
Once the votes have been counted, the mayor is elected using the "supplementary vote" system. | Once the votes have been counted, the mayor is elected using the "supplementary vote" system. |
If any candidate receives more than half of all first choice votes, he or she is automatically elected as the London mayor. | If any candidate receives more than half of all first choice votes, he or she is automatically elected as the London mayor. |
But if there is no clear winner, the two leading "first choice" candidates go through to a second round. | But if there is no clear winner, the two leading "first choice" candidates go through to a second round. |
The candidate with the most first and second choice votes is then elected mayor. | The candidate with the most first and second choice votes is then elected mayor. |
In the event of a draw, the returning officer decides the election by drawing lots. | In the event of a draw, the returning officer decides the election by drawing lots. |
London has 5.5 million registered voters who can vote in the London Mayoral Election. | London has 5.5 million registered voters who can vote in the London Mayoral Election. |
'Sincerely apologise' | 'Sincerely apologise' |
Voters also go to the polls in the wards of Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham and Tower Hamlets. | Voters also go to the polls in the wards of Camden, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham and Tower Hamlets. |
In Barnet, voting problems occurred when six polling stations had not received their ballot papers by the time the polls opened at 0700 BST because of overnight computer problems. | |
Barnet Council said as a result the automated system being used had to be checked manually. | Barnet Council said as a result the automated system being used had to be checked manually. |
But it said its Electoral Registration team worked throughout the night to ensure all polling stations opened on time. | But it said its Electoral Registration team worked throughout the night to ensure all polling stations opened on time. |
"Unfortunately, a handful of polling stations did not receive their ballot papers until some minutes after 0700 BST and we sincerely apologise to those voters affected," a statement from Barnet Council said. | |
It said all polling stations were up and running by 0725 BST. |