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UK votes in MEP and council polls UK votes in MEP and council polls
(about 3 hours later)
People across the UK are heading to the polls to cast their votes in the European Parliament elections.People across the UK are heading to the polls to cast their votes in the European Parliament elections.
In England 27 county councils and seven unitary councils are holding elections and there are three mayoral votes.In England 27 county councils and seven unitary councils are holding elections and there are three mayoral votes.
There were mixed reports of turnout and the Electoral Commission was forced to issue an alert asking polling station staff not to fold ballot papers.There were mixed reports of turnout and the Electoral Commission was forced to issue an alert asking polling station staff not to fold ballot papers.
This followed complaints parties listed lower on the alphabetical ballot papers were hidden when first unfolded.This followed complaints parties listed lower on the alphabetical ballot papers were hidden when first unfolded.
A commission spokesman told the BBC they issued the alert after talking to returning officers and the UK Independence Party, who brought the issue to their attention.A commission spokesman told the BBC they issued the alert after talking to returning officers and the UK Independence Party, who brought the issue to their attention.
The spokesman, who explained that ballot papers were folded to help protect voter secrecy, said they were also urging people to read the instructions on ballot papers carefully.The spokesman, who explained that ballot papers were folded to help protect voter secrecy, said they were also urging people to read the instructions on ballot papers carefully.
TurnoutTurnout
A number of voters - mainly from the Yorks and Humber region - have been in touch with the BBC about the problem.A number of voters - mainly from the Yorks and Humber region - have been in touch with the BBC about the problem.
Polling stations are open until 2200 BST with the European results declared on Sunday evening. Council results are set to be known on Friday.Polling stations are open until 2200 BST with the European results declared on Sunday evening. Council results are set to be known on Friday.
The European results are delayed because voting is carried out in 27 EU countries over four days.The European results are delayed because voting is carried out in 27 EU countries over four days.
One of the ballot papers with three folds that caused the complaints class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8083435.stm">Warning over folded ballot papers
The UK and the Netherlands go to the polls on Thursday, followed by Ireland on Friday. Latvia, Cyprus, Malta and Slovakia on Saturday and Italy and the Czech Republic over the weekend.The UK and the Netherlands go to the polls on Thursday, followed by Ireland on Friday. Latvia, Cyprus, Malta and Slovakia on Saturday and Italy and the Czech Republic over the weekend.
The other 18 EU countries will vote on Sunday, with the first results expected from 2100 BST.The other 18 EU countries will vote on Sunday, with the first results expected from 2100 BST.
European voters will be electing 736 MEPs - including 72 from the UK.European voters will be electing 736 MEPs - including 72 from the UK.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will have six, four and three MEPs respectively, while the remaining 59 will represent nine different regions across England.Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will have six, four and three MEPs respectively, while the remaining 59 will represent nine different regions across England.
At the last European elections in 2004, turnout in the UK was 38% - across Europe the average was 45.5%.At the last European elections in 2004, turnout in the UK was 38% - across Europe the average was 45.5%.
There have been predictions turnout this time it could be as low as 28%, while others believe it could be up to 50%.There have been predictions turnout this time it could be as low as 28%, while others believe it could be up to 50%.
The Press Association says 52 people out of a possible 2,255 voted in the first two hours at a polling station in Streatham, south London, which it says suggests a turnout there of less than 25%.The Press Association says 52 people out of a possible 2,255 voted in the first two hours at a polling station in Streatham, south London, which it says suggests a turnout there of less than 25%.