Around 70,000 people living in Greater Manchester will have the opportunity to head out and vote for a new MP in Wigan on Thursday.
The Makerfield by-election came after the sudden resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons on May 14, with the former MP having confirmed he stood down from the position to make a pathway for Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to stand for election.
Mr Simons' resignation followed mounting demands for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to resign, with Mr Burnham expected to launch a leadership challenge against Sir Keir if elected. This means the outcome of the by-election could shape the UK political scene for years to come.
The polls opened at 7am this morning and will remain open until 10pm, allowing people the opportunity to vote after they finish work.
There are 14 candidates running to be the new Member of Parliament in the Wigan constituency: Jake Austin for the Liberal Democrats, Count Binface for Count Binface Party, Andy Burnham for Labour and Co-operative Party, Dan Clarke for Libertarian Party, John Dyer for Independent, Ed Gemmell for Climate Party, Paul Gould - Independent, Howling Laud Hope for The Official Monster Raving Loony Party, Robert Kenyon for Reform UK, Rob Pownall for Independent, Rebecca Shepherd for Restore Britain, Sarah Wakefield for Green Party, Peter Ward for Rejoin EU, and Michael Winstanley for Conservative and Unionist Party.
Counting is expected to get underway shortly after the polls close at 10pm this evening, with the results expected in the early hours of Friday morning.
The Manchester Evening News has reporters at the count who will be able to bring updates throughout the night, with the results expected from 4am on Friday 19 June.
What time are Makerfield by-election results due?
Counting in the by-election will get underway after polls close at 10pm on Thursday. The results from the Makerfield by-election are then expected from 4am on Friday, June 19.
