Millions cast their votes in General Election ahead of 10pm deadline
People across the UK have until 10pm to cast their vote at their local polling station to choose the next government, as well as who gets the keys to number 10.
The exit poll will also be announced at 10pm, providing the clearest indication of who will be prime minister on Friday.
These take place at polling stations across the country, with tens of thousands of people asked to privately fill in a replica ballot as they leave, to get an indication of how they voted.
The first of the 650 seats are likely to declare their results from 11.30pm on Thursday.
By Friday, the UK government and its political priorities for the next four years will have been decided.
After six weeks on the campaign trail, travelling across the country to gather support, the party leaders cast their votes on Thursday.
Party leaders and politicians debated pressing issues such as the cost of living crisis and immigration, along with racist remarks and candidates placing an array of bets.
Rishi Sunak and his wife cast their votes in the General Election 2024 this morning
Among the early voters were Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty, who made the short journey from their grade II-listed manor house to vote at Kirby Sigston Village Hall in his Richmond constituency.
After arriving in a Range Rover, the pair walked hand-in-hand into the village hall.
Sunak wore a white shirt underneath a blue jumper and greeted the photographers outside the polling station.
He left without commenting and was driven away, followed by police protection officers.
Sunak is hoping to be returned to Parliament as the MP for Richmond and Northallerton.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his wife arrive at the polling station to vote in the General Election
Shortly after 9.30am, Sir Keir Starmer made the short journey from his Kentish Town home to the polling station in Willingham Close TRA Hall to vote in the Holborn and St Pancras constituency.
Sir Keir and his wife, Victoria, arrived on foot and walked hand-in-hand into the hall tucked inside the housing estate while being flanked by police protection officers.
A crowd of local residents gathered to watch the Labour leader enter the polling station alongside dozens of national and international media.
Sir Keir wore a white shirt under a dark suit with a red tie as he greeted supporters lining the approach into the polling station.
A woman could be heard shouting “free Palestine” as he entered the hall.
He left through a back door out of sight of reporters.
Meanwhile, Scottish First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney and his son Matthew arrived at Burreltown Village Hall in Blairgowrie, Perthshire to make his vote.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and his wife, Emily, visited a polling station in Surbiton to vote just before 11am.
Sir Ed said “good morning everybody” to the assembled media and waved to the cameras.
As the pair prepared to enter Surbiton Hill Methodist Church, a voter left the polling station and wished Sir Ed “good luck”.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage cast his vote earlier on Thursday.
It is the first General Election where voters will need to show photographic ID before they can receive their ballot paper following a law change in 2022.
What type of ID is required to vote?
You may already have the correct ID to go and cast your ballot.
One thing to be aware of is that the photo on your ID must be the original version and cannot be an image on your phone or a photocopy.
If you're unsure of what the acceptable forms of identification are, check here:
A UK or Northern Ireland photocard driving licence (full or provisional)
A driving licence issued by an EU country Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Isle of Man or any of the Channel Islands.
A UK passport
A passport issued by an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or a Commonwealth country
A PASS card (National Proof of Age Standards Scheme)
A Blue Badge
A biometric residence permit (BRP)
A Defence Identity Card (MOD form 90)
A national identity card issued by the EU, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
A Northern Ireland Electoral Identity Card
A Voter Authority Certificate
An Anonymous Elector’s Document
You can also use one of the following travel passes as photo ID when you vote:
An Oyster 60+ card
A Freedom Pass
A Scottish National Entitlement Card (NEC)
A 60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
A Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card
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