Local Elections 2021: Hundreds to head to the polls

Hampshire residents will be asked to elect borough and district councillors as well as the new police and crime commissioner (PCC).

It comes as last year's elections were postponed due to the pandemic.

In Southampton, 16  seats at Southampton City Council are up for grabs.

Residents will have to elect one councillor for each of the 16 wards in the city.

Election day 2021: Borough and district council elections as they happen

The council is currently made up of 30 Labour and 18 Conservatives councillors.

The council has 48 seats in total with 25 required for a majority.

Meanwhile, all of the 78 seats at Hampshire County Council are up for grabs.

It comes as a county-wide election takes place every four years and voters in all 76 electoral divisions are asked to elect councillors.

Two county council divisions- Leesland & Town (Gosport) and Fareham Town, will be asked to elect two councillors due to the size of the electorate.

Everything you need to know about elections 2021

The county council is currently made up of 54 Conservatives, 19 Liberal Democrats, one Labour councillor, one unaffiliated independent councillor, one Basingstoke & Deane Independent Group councillor and one Community Campaign Hart councillor. 

District or borough elections are also being held across the rest of  Hampshire. However, there will be no district council elections in the New Forest.

Due to Covid-19 a number of measures will be in place and there will be no overnight count. Residents will still be able to cast their votes at polling stations but they will be asked to maintain social distancing and  wear a face mask.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.

Elections 2021: Here is when we'll find out local results 

PCC elections: All you need to know 

List of polling stations in Southampton

Residents can also take their own  pencil or pen with them if they wish to do so.

If a resident cannot attend the polling station due to Coronavirus,  their application to vote by proxy must reach councils by 5pm on the day of poll.

Where an appointed long-term proxy considers that they are, or are likely to be unable to attend the polling station on the grounds of following Coronavirus advice, the elector can also apply to change the person who is appointed as their proxy. Applications must  reach councils by 5pm on the day of poll.

The results for the county council elections are expected to be announced on May 7 while the count for Southampton City Council elections will begin on May 8 and the one for the PCC elections will be on May 10.