Voting Underway in Clacton By-Election with Record 34 Candidates

Voting is under way in the Clacton by-election as a record number of candidates vie to become its next MP. Fifty-one polling stations in the Essex resort, which includes the towns of Jaywick, Frinton and Walton-on-the-Naze, opened at 07:00 BST and will shut at 22:00. An electorate of 79,785 registered voters have the chance to vote for one of 34 candidates - the most ever to stand in a British election. Voters will need to show a form of acceptable ID - such as a driving licence or passport - to be able to cast their ballot. They will receive the longest ballot paper in British electoral history at 90cm - about 3ft long - to choose their candidate and cast their vote. There are 12 political parties and 20 independents standing. The constituency also has rural villages including St Osyth, Weeley and Great Bentley. Polling stations will remain open to anyone registered to vote until 22:00, with the count taking place overnight.