Clacton by-election: polling stations open as voters choose from record 34 candidates

Polling stations will be open to voters on Thursday for the high-profile snap by-election in Clacton, reports BritPanorama.

Voters will face a record number of candidates, but major parties including the Labour Party, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Greens have opted not to field candidates.

Instead, the ballot will feature candidates from Reform UK, Count Binface, and several independent entrants.

The by-election was initiated by the leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage, in response to parliamentary scrutiny of his financial affairs and supporters. It is scheduled for August 13.

When does voting close?

Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm. Results are anticipated in the early hours of Friday, though counting may extend into the morning due to the record total of 34 candidates.

Will there be an exit poll?

Typically, an exit poll is conducted after voting in general elections; however, there will be no exit poll for this by-election. A recent survey by Survation for Mandate Research indicates Mr Farage is projected to secure 73 per cent of the vote, while his closest rival, Count Binface, may capture around 20 per cent.

In an Ipsos poll assessing public preference in a hypothetical matchup, 33 per cent of British adults expressed support for Count Binface, in contrast to just 21 per cent for Farage.

Full list of candidates for the Clacton constituency