The counting process for the London mayoral election, which saw around two million Londoners voting, will not conclude until late Saturday. Following the closing of polling stations on Thursday, ballots are being manually counted—an adoption for this election to ensure accuracy and prevent potential electoral interference. The results are first anticipated around midday on Saturday, with final outcomes expected later the same day. This year marks London’s first use of the first-past-the-post system for the mayoral contest, adding a layer of complexity to the count, which had previously utilized electronic counting.

Meanwhile, the general local elections in England are taking place concurrently, covering 107 local authorities and over 2,600 seats, along with elections for 10 additional mayors outside London and London Assembly members. Unlike in previous years, there is no exit poll for these elections, with official results anticipated to commence overnight and continue across the weekend. A BBC “projected national share” will estimate party vote shares based on outcomes from 800 council wards, aiming to provide insights into potential general election results, starting Friday afternoon.

Amidst the electoral proceedings, a lighter trend has emerged: voters across the country have been bringing their pets, predominantly dogs, to polling stations. This movement, highlighted by public figures like Sadiq Khan and his dog Luna in London, has added a charming element to the voting process, capturing public and media attention.