Hundreds of thousands of people will go to the polls this week as the Northern Ireland local elections take place.
The elections will take place on Thursday, May 18, when the people of Northern Ireland will choose their councillors for their council area for the upcoming term.
In order to vote in the elections, you will need to be over 18 and on the electoral register. This will allow you to vote in person at a polling station, by post or by proxy.
Read more: NI council election dates, candidates, where to vote and more you need to know
What time do polling stations open?
Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on the day of the election.
Do I need to bring anything with me to vote in person?
Prior to the election, every registered voter should receive a polling card telling them where they should go to cast their vote. You do not need to bring this card with you in order to vote and is for information purposes only.
Voters will be required to bring some form of photographic identification with them, but this does not have to be current identification.
The types are ID that will be accepted are;
- A UK, Irish or EEA driving licence (photographic part) (provisional accepted)
- A UK, Irish or EU passport (including the Irish Passport Card) (note: EU passports are not accepted at UK Parliamentary elections)
- An Electoral Identity Card
- A Translink Half Fare SmartPass
- A Translink Senior SmartPass
- A Translink 60+ SmartPass
- A Translink War Disabled SmartPass
- A Translink Blind Person’s SmartPass
- A Biometric Immigration Document
When you go to vote, the staff at the polling station will check your name and address and photographic ID and give you a ballot paper.
It will list the parties and candidates you can vote for, and tell you how to cast your vote, so read it carefully.
The voting takes place in a screened booth. When you've marked your vote, fold the ballot paper in half and put it in the ballot box. Do not write anything else on the ballot paper or your vote may not count.
When will the results be announced?
The first election results will be announced on Friday, May 19, after counting has commenced.
The vote count will likely continue until Saturday, May 20, and there is a possibility some areas may not be decided on until Sunday, May 21.
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