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| Britain |
| British voters head to the polls |
| 2004-06-09 |
| Britain heads to the polls on Thursday in the European, London mayoral and assembly and local elections. Fine weather is forecast for what is likely to be the last test of public opinion before a general election. Polling stations open from 0700 GMT to 2200 GMT, with the first local election results expected shortly after that. London mayoral and assembly and remaining local election results are expected on Friday evening, with the European result on Sunday evening. Elections are taking place in 166 local English and Welsh councils, as well as for London’s mayor and assembly. All UK voters are also choosing their members of the European Parliament. Millions of people across Northern England and the East Midlands have already cast their vote in the biggest all-postal ballot ever attempted in the UK. As a result, European election turnout is already higher in many areas than in 1999. But the final days of campaigning were marred in some areas by accusations of fraud and voter intimidation, which are being investigated by the police and the Electoral Commission. All-postal ballots are being piloted in the North East, North West, East Midlands and Yorkshire and Humber regions. |
| Posted by:Mark Espinola |