Dorset heads to the polls as stations open

Polling stations across Dorset have opened for the local elections.

All 82 seats on Dorset Council, currently under the Conservative administration, are up for election.

As well as electing council representatives, people will also be voting for the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Polling stations across the county opened at 07:00 BST and will close at 22:00.

For only the second time, voters will require a form of photo ID - such as a passport or driving licence - in order to cast their ballot.

• Explained: What ID do I need to vote?

• When and where are they, and who can vote?

• •Voting for the first time: All you need to know

This will be the second time the whole council has gone to the polls since the unitary council was formed in 2019, amalgamating previous district and borough councils.

The authority is currently composed of 43 Conservative seats, 27 Liberal Democrats, five Green, four Independents and one unaligned seat.

In the PCC race, Conservative incumbent David Sidwick is facing competition from Labour & Co-Operative candidate David Stokes, Howard Legg of the Liberal Democrats and independent candidate Marianne Storey.

PCCs are elected officials whose role is to help ensure police forces function effectively but not to run those forces themselves.

They scrutinise force performance, set the annual budget for their force, oversee community safety, and set out force strategy and policing priorities in a Police and Crime Plan.

Votes for the next PCC will be counted by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council staff.

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