‘Sheer volume’ of votes leads to a late finish in East Devon

The overall voter turnout for East Devon was 71.7 per cent.

This figure is marginally lower than in the 2010 General Election - when 72.6 per cent of the electorate came out to cast their vote - but it is twice as high as normal for district and parish elections.

Constituents went to the polls to vote yesterday (Thursday), not only for their MP, but also district and town council representatives.

The General Election results are due to be announced at around 6am today (Friday, May 8) at East Devon District Council (EDDC) Knowle offices.

EDDC said the expected announcement time of 2am was pushed back due to the ‘sheer number of ballot papers’.

A spokesperson for the authority said this is the first time since 1979 when three separate elections were held on the same night and it meant more than 100,000 ballot papers to be validated.

Voting slips for the town and district elections will be counted throughout the day.