Londoners urged to register to vote as deadline approaches

Londoners are being urged to register to vote in the GLA elections ahead of tonight’s deadline.

Those wishing to decide the next Mayor of London and London Assembly members have until 11:59PM tonight (April 19) to register to vote.

Anyone wishing to cast a postal vote in the May 6 elections must also download and return a completed form to their local Electoral Registration Office by 5pm tomorrow (April 20).

Despite Covid-19 restrictions, polling stations will be open as usual from 7AM on May 6, though there will be measures in place to ensure that social distancing can be maintained.

A recent poll by Redfield and Wilton found that only 40 per cent of Londoners said they were “certain” they would vote on May 6, while 25 per cent said they would “probably” vote.

The last London Mayor election in 2016 saw a turnout of 45.3 per cent, which was an increase from just 38.1 per cent in 2012.

Voters will this year have to wait two days to find out the results of both the London Mayor and London Assembly elections, with the count taking place over two days to allow social distancing to take place.

The results are expected to be announced at City Hall on the evening of May 8.