Clacton residents head to the polls in historic by-election with record candidate field

At 07:00 BST on Thursday, polling stations across Clacton and surrounding areas opened for the Westminster by-election, allowing 79,785 registered voters to cast ballots. The election features 34 candidates - a record number for any British election - displayed on a 90 cm ballot paper, the longest in the nation’s history. The constituency covers the Essex resort town of Clacton, the neighboring coastal communities of Jaywick, Frinton and Walton-on-the-Naze, and several inland villages including St Osyth, Weeley and Great Bentley.

Twelve established parties and twenty independent contenders are vying for the seat. Voters are required to show a driver’s licence, passport or other approved ID. Polls remain open until 22:00, after which the vote count will be conducted overnight.