POLLING station doors across Maldon district closed at 10pm last night (Thursday, 6 May) - and it is thought the first results could be declared at around 11am today.

The ballot box contents were delivered to the Covid-safe count at Five Lakes Resort in Colchester Road for verification after polling stations closed at 10pm last night and continued through until just after 2am. Counting is due to resume early this morning.

The election results for the three Essex County Council seats will be declared first - Maldon, Southminster and Heybridge & Tollesbury.

The two Maldon District Council seats at Heybridge East and Tollesbury (these were both by-elections delayed by the pandemic) will be declared at the same venue later, as will the results for the six seats on Heybridge Basin Parish Council. It is anticipated that all these results will be in by 1pm.

The results of the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner elections will be declared at Colchester on Saturday, though local votes will be counted at Five Lakes and the results sent on.

The election operation in Maldon district has been substantial, with a total of 47 polling stations, each with its own presiding officer.

There were 43 count assistants and eight table leaders at the count yesterday evening, with 40 counters and six table leaders both today and tomorrow.