Welcome to our live blog from the election counts in Brighton and Hove. Keep checking here for the latest updates on the city’s three key marginal seats.
Follow this link for the latest postings on Twitter from the city’s prospective MPs: http://www.coveritlive.com/index.php?option=com_altcaster&task=siteviewaltcast&altcast_code=9967ad4486&height=550&width=470
Thursday May 6
7.40pm: There are just two and a half hours left until the polls close at 10pm and the first national predictions are made. We are expecting the results from the Hove and Brighton Pavilion constituencies to be announced at around 2am, and the Brighton Kemptown result to follow an hour later.
Some exit pollsters in Brighton Pavilion have described the outcome as too close to call and already predicted a recount will be needed, meaning the three favourites Conservative Charlotte Vere, Green Caroline Lucas and Labour’s Nancy Platts could have to wait until even later to discover if they will be going to Westminster.
Outside one polling station in Exeter Street, Brighton, party representatives said the turnout had been very high, echoing early predictions it would be well above 70% in the Pavilion constituency. Turnout for previous general elections has been closer to 60%.
