European elections on Thursday

"Don't forget to vote". That is the message from Mike Suarez, Chief Executive of Cheshire East Council and Returning Officer ahead of Thursday's elections to the European Parliament.

His elections team is making final preparations, which will see 281 separate polling stations open between 7.00am and 10.00pm to allow the Borough's 280,000 potential electors to cast their votes.

Eight seats are available, representing the North West region, and voters will get to choose from a list of candidates put forward by the various parties.

Across the UK as a whole, 73 MEPs will be returned to sit in the 754-member European Parliament.

Ballot papers will be counted after polls close on Thursday, but the final announcement of the result will not be made until Sunday night. This is because some of the EU's 28 member states vote on Saturday and Sunday.

The final results from across the North West will be announced at Manchester Town Hall on Sunday night, after the polls close across the rest of Europe.

Cheshire East's Returning Officer Mike Suarez said: "Holding elections in a Borough as big as Cheshire East is no small undertaking. We are, after all, by population one of the top three largest unitary local authorities in the North West, along with Manchester and Liverpool.

"Our team has made careful preparations to ensure the poll goes as smoothly as possible." Mr Suarez added: "This is the final full election before next May's General Election, which will also see local elections for the whole Council as well as parish council elections.

"In terms of organisation, everything is in place and my hope, as Returning Officer, is to see the biggest turnout possible. Don't lose your right to vote."

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