Isle of Man General Election 2016: Polls open

It will be the first Manx general election using the new boundary guidelines approved in 2013

Polling stations across the Isle of Man have opened for the general election.

Sixty-three candidates - 50 men and 13 women - are trying to secure one of the 24 seats in the House of Keys.

Members of the House of Keys (MHKs) can propose new laws and raise issues that matter to their constituents in the Manx parliament, known as Tynwald.

Polling stations will be open across the island's 12 constituencies until 20:00 BST, with the results expected to be declared late on Thursday evening.

The BBC will provide a comprehensive live results, reaction and analysis service on its website, while Manx Radio will be on air from 18:00 with a special election broadcast. The election will also be covered by North West Tonight and on social media.

Most candidates stand as independents, but there are registered political parties on the island.

Two MHKs will be elected from each of the 12 constituencies, making a change from previous elections when MHKs were unevenly distributed across the island.

The Isle of Man is almost entirely self-governing, and MHKs will control virtually every aspect of public life from law and order to health provision.

Successful candidates will serve a term of five years and will be sworn in at Tynwald on 27 September.

Here is a list of the candidates standing for election.