Local Election 2022

Many voters in England, Wales and Scotland will head to the polls today to elect their new local representatives - as Northern Ireland elects assembly members.

More than 4,350 seats are being contested in England on over 140 councils, with all of Scotland's 32 councils and all 22 councils in Wales also holding local elections.

These elections will directly decide who is responsible in an individual's area for planning issues, housing and rubbish collections.

You can find results where you live with our dedicated elections service. And we'll have a special election programme on Sky News from 11pm on Thursday night

When can I vote?

To vote in today's local elections, you need to have registered to do so and be aged over 18 in England, or over 16 in Scotland and Wales.

Polling stations will be open between 7am and 10pm on 5 May - but as long as you are in the queue at 10pm you are within your right to cast your vote.

What am I voting for?

Local councillors are elected for four-year terms by the local community to represent its views.

They are responsible for a wide range of issues from transport, rubbish collection, planning applications, and managing mental health services.

Taking part in the polls allows residents a say over what is happening in their locality.

Local residents can cast votes for as many council seats as there are being contested in their ward - which will be made clear at the top of the ballot paper.

The results are expected in the early hours and throughout the day on Friday, with some councils also likely to declare on Saturday.

In England, around half of the councils are expected to begin their vote counts overnight tonight, with the remaining councils starting on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, in Scotland and Wales, the counts will not begin until Friday, with the earliest results not expected until that afternoon.

A fuller picture should be more clear from tomorrow evening.

Polls also open in Northern Ireland

Voting is also under way in the Northern Ireland Assembly election.

Voters will elect 90 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), five from each of the 18 constituencies.