Polling stations across England will close at 10pm on Thursday, marking the end of voting in local elections. Of the 136 local authorities holding elections, 46 are expected to count and declare results overnight.
Overnight Declarations
Between 1am and 3am on Friday, councils with large majorities are due to declare. This includes Conservative-held Broxbourne and Labour-controlled Halton. Hartlepool and Lincoln, where Labour are defending majorities, are set to declare around 2am.
From 3am to 5am, Salford should finish counting. Around 3.30am, Westminster is expected to be the first London council to complete its count. Hampshire is set to be the first county council to declare, while in London, full results are due from Ealing (Labour), Sutton (Lib Dems), and Wandsworth (Labour). Newcastle is also expected to finish during this period.
By 5am, six London councils are still to declare: Bexley, Hammersmith & Fulham, Havering, Kensington & Chelsea, Merton, and Richmond upon Thames.
Friday Morning
At 9am, counting begins for parliamentary elections in Scotland and Wales, for 86 local authorities in England, and for six mayoral contests. Results from these areas will follow later in the day.
For full coverage, follow our live blog on the 2026 local elections.
