Greater Manchester mayoral election polling stations open

Polling stations across Greater Manchester opened on Tuesday, allowing voters to cast ballots in the region’s first election for a directly elected mayor. The election, held on 6 May, is part of a new governance structure introduced by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which aims to give the area a single political head to coordinate transport, housing and economic strategy.

Candidates from the Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat, Green and UKIP parties contested the seat, with Labour’s candidate, former councillor and business leader, leading the pre‑poll polls. Voters were asked to choose from a ballot that included a brief candidate profile and a single “yes” or “no” vote for each name. The electoral commission reported that early turnout was higher than in previous local elections, reflecting the public interest in the new mayoral role.

The results will be announced later in the day, after all votes have been counted and any provisional ballots verified. The elected mayor will take office in July, replacing the current combined authority leadership and setting the agenda for Greater Manchester’s next five years.