Polling stations opened at 7:00 AM BST on Thursday for the Clacton by-election, where 79,785 registered voters will cast their ballots to elect the constituency's next Member of Parliament. This election features the largest number of candidates ever to stand in a British parliamentary election, with 34 individuals competing for the role.
The electorate, covering Clacton and surrounding areas including Jaywick, Frinton, Walton-on-the-Naze, and rural villages like St Osyth, Weeley, and Great Bentley, will receive a ballot paper measuring approximately 90cm, the longest in British electoral history. Voters are required to present acceptable forms of identification, such as a driver's licence or passport, to cast their vote.
Among the 34 candidates are representatives from 12 political parties and 20 independents. The polling stations will remain open until 10:00 PM BST, with the vote count commencing overnight.