Polling stations closed at 10pm on Thursday and counting began at 9am on Friday at Co-op Live, where hundreds of thousands of votes are being processed. The result is not expected until at least early afternoon.
The count could run later if no candidate receives more than 50 per cent of the vote, as second preference votes will then need to be counted. The election used the supplementary vote system, allowing voters to choose a first and second preference.
Seven candidates in the race
The by-election, described as the biggest ever held in the UK, was triggered after Andy Burnham stood down as mayor following his election as MP for Makerfield.
Seven candidates are standing:
- Sian Niamh Astley - Reform UK
- Geraldine Coggins - Green Party
- Bev Craig - Labour
- Phil Eckersley - Conservative Party
- Marcus Jonathan Farmer - independent
- Richard Kilpatrick - Liberal Democrats
- Marlon West - Restore Britain
What the new mayor will control
The winner will have a direct say in setting budgets and priorities across the region, affecting housing, transport and policing for people in Greater Manchester in the coming years.
