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By-election stage collapse fears | By-election stage collapse fears |
(8 minutes later) | |
The 26 candidates in the Haltemprice and Howden by-election will not share a stage at the count after fears it could collapse under their combined weight. | The 26 candidates in the Haltemprice and Howden by-election will not share a stage at the count after fears it could collapse under their combined weight. |
Election results are normally announced from a temporary stage at the Haltemprice Leisure Centre. | Election results are normally announced from a temporary stage at the Haltemprice Leisure Centre. |
But the candidates in Thursday's poll will stand on the floor in a semi-circle around a small platform with the returning officer on it. | But the candidates in Thursday's poll will stand on the floor in a semi-circle around a small platform with the returning officer on it. |
Voting is under way in the contest with polls closing at 2200BST. | Voting is under way in the contest with polls closing at 2200BST. |
The contest was triggered the resignation of Conservative MP David Davis. | The contest was triggered the resignation of Conservative MP David Davis. |
A record 26 candidates are standing. | |
Speeches | Speeches |
Labour and the Lib Dems are not taking part, but the Green Party, English Democrats and Christian Party are. | Labour and the Lib Dems are not taking part, but the Green Party, English Democrats and Christian Party are. |
But the high number of candidates has created a headache for the returning officer. | But the high number of candidates has created a headache for the returning officer. |
"We were worried we wouldn't have a stage that could hold them, both width and weight wise," said a spokeswoman for East Riding of Yorkshire Council. | "We were worried we wouldn't have a stage that could hold them, both width and weight wise," said a spokeswoman for East Riding of Yorkshire Council. |
"We weren't certain we could make it big enough. We just decided it would make more sense to have one small stage with one person on it at a time." | "We weren't certain we could make it big enough. We just decided it would make more sense to have one small stage with one person on it at a time." |
The 26 candidates will all be entitled to make a speech when the results have been announced, but the returning officer is expected to have a quiet word about keeping it brief, the spokeswoman said. | The 26 candidates will all be entitled to make a speech when the results have been announced, but the returning officer is expected to have a quiet word about keeping it brief, the spokeswoman said. |
Turnout | Turnout |
Some 70,100 people can vote in the East Yorkshire constituency. The result is expected during the early hours of Friday. | Some 70,100 people can vote in the East Yorkshire constituency. The result is expected during the early hours of Friday. |
Turnout is anticipated to be lower than the 70.1% achieved at the last general election in 2005, with the weather forecast to be a mixture of sunshine and showers. | Turnout is anticipated to be lower than the 70.1% achieved at the last general election in 2005, with the weather forecast to be a mixture of sunshine and showers. |
At the last general election Mr Davis won the seat with a 5,116 majority over the Liberal Democrats. | At the last general election Mr Davis won the seat with a 5,116 majority over the Liberal Democrats. |
Labour came third, followed by the British National Party and the UK Independence Party. | Labour came third, followed by the British National Party and the UK Independence Party. |
The candidates are: | The candidates are: |
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