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Labour deputy race nears climax Labour deputy race nears climax
(about 24 hours later)
The contenders to be the Labour Party's next deputy leader are continuing to battle for support as the seven week contest enters its final stages. The contenders to be the Labour Party's next deputy leader are continuing to battle for support as the seven-week contest enters its final hours.
The ballot of the three million union members who have a vote has now closed, but Labour Party members, MPs and MEPs have until Friday 1700 BST to vote. The ballot of the three million union members who have a vote has closed, but Labour Party members, MPs and MEPs have until 1700 BST to vote.
Campaign team canvassing suggests the turnout could be in the 30%-50% range among Labour and union members.Campaign team canvassing suggests the turnout could be in the 30%-50% range among Labour and union members.
There are six in the running for the job. The result is due on Sunday.There are six in the running for the job. The result is due on Sunday.
The way the electoral college works the votes of the party's MPs and Euro MPs - which account for 33% of the result - are each worth thousands of party and union member votes. Turnout figures are being closely guarded.
Second choices Marathon campaign
Turnout figures are being closely guarded, but reports suggest that a number of MPs had yet to cast their vote by Thursday morning. After the marathon campaign, in which there have been more than a dozen six-way public debates, the candidates will have hoped to persuade voters to not only make them their first choice, but also to win second preferences.
After the marathon campaign, in which there have been more than a dozen six-way public debates, the candidates are still hoping to persuade voters to not only make them their first choice, but also to win second preferences.
The way the voting system works, being listed as a voters' second preference could be vital to the result.The way the voting system works, being listed as a voters' second preference could be vital to the result.
The votes will be counted in a series of rounds - with the last place candidate dropping out and their second choices being allocated to the others - until someone gets to the 50% mark.The votes will be counted in a series of rounds - with the last place candidate dropping out and their second choices being allocated to the others - until someone gets to the 50% mark.
Those still wanting to vote can do so via telephone or online.
Manchester announcementManchester announcement
The last of the hustings was a "virtual" one, screened on the Labour Party YouTube site on Thursday.The last of the hustings was a "virtual" one, screened on the Labour Party YouTube site on Thursday.
The candidates are International Development Secretary Hilary Benn, Labour chairwoman Hazel Blears, backbencher Jon Cruddas, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain, Justice minister Harriet Harman and Education Secretary Alan Johnson.The candidates are International Development Secretary Hilary Benn, Labour chairwoman Hazel Blears, backbencher Jon Cruddas, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain, Justice minister Harriet Harman and Education Secretary Alan Johnson.
Although it is widely accepted as a difficult election to call, the bookmakers have Alan Johnson as favourite, followed by Hilary Benn.Although it is widely accepted as a difficult election to call, the bookmakers have Alan Johnson as favourite, followed by Hilary Benn.
The result of the contest, to succeed John Prescott as deputy party leader, will be announced at a special party conference in Manchester on Sunday afternoon.The result of the contest, to succeed John Prescott as deputy party leader, will be announced at a special party conference in Manchester on Sunday afternoon.