Key facts
- Polls have closed in the Clacton by-election.
- A record 34 candidates competed for the seat.
- The ballot paper was the longest in British electoral history.
- Nigel Farage is among the candidates.
- The result is expected between 05:00 and 07:00 BST.
Polls have closed in Clacton-on-Sea for a by-election to elect a new Member of Parliament, featuring a record 34 candidates and 79,785 registered voters. The ballot paper for the contest was the longest in British electoral history, measuring almost a metre. Nigel Farage, representing Reform UK, is among the candidates. The counting of votes began after polls closed at 22:00 BST, with the result anticipated between 05:00 and 07:00 BST at Clacton Leisure Centre. Ballot boxes from 51 voting stations were expected to arrive at the venue by 23:30. The Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, and Restore Britain did not field candidates in this election. Farage previously won the Clacton seat in July 2024 but resigned, leading to this by-election. An investigation into Farage by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner is set to resume if he is re-elected.