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LONDON: The UK is expected to elect Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, as its next Prime Minister in the upcoming election on Thursday. This would mark the end of the Conservative Party’s 14-year tenure in government.
Opinion polls indicate a strong lead for Starmer’s centre-left party, reflecting voter dissatisfaction with the Conservatives amidst internal conflicts that saw five prime ministers in eight years.
How does it work?
In UK elections, a party needs to secure at least 326 out of the 650 parliamentary seats to achieve a majority. The leader of the winning party becomes the Prime Minister. Voters select a candidate in each of the 650 constituencies, typically affiliated with a major political party. The candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins the seat.
Exit polls are released immediately after polls close at 10 p.m. (2100 GMT). Vote counting begins immediately, with initial results appearing within hours. The majority of results are declared overnight, often finalized by 5 or 7 a.m.
Who is eligible to vote?
To be eligible to vote, individuals must be British, Irish, or eligible Commonwealth citizens and at least 18 years old on Election Day. Voter registration stands at nearly 50 million. Polling stations are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (0600-2100 GMT). Voters may use proxies, mail-in ballots, or vote in person. In a new initiative, voters must present a photo ID to vote in national elections.