Polls open for West Yorkshire mayor and council elections

Polling stations across West Yorkshire have opened for the Mayoral election.

A third of council seats in all five local authorities are also being contested.

Registered voters will be able to cast their ballots from 07:00 to 22:00 BST on Thursday 2 May.

Counting will begin on Friday, with the first council results expected from 15:00 BST. The results for the mayoral election are expected to be declared in Leeds on the afternoon of Saturday 4 May.

It is the second time the region, which is home to more than two million people, has had a mayoral election. It follows the first ever election for West Yorkshire mayor in 2021.

The position was created following a devolution deal between the five local authorities and the government in March 2020. The deal gave the regional mayor authority over issues such as local public transport, housing and adult-skills training.

As part of the 2021 deal, the mayor also inherited the office of the West Yorkshire police and crime commissioner, which holds the area's police force to account. The mayor has the power to delegate responsibility for policing to a deputy mayor.

Most residents in West Yorkshire aged 18 or over are eligible to vote, provided they registered before the deadline. Voters will need to show photo ID in order to vote in person.

The mayoral election has been timed to coincide with local elections which are taking place in all five of the local authority areas in West Yorkshire.

Elections are taking place in Leeds, with 33 out of the 99 seats available, and in Bradford, for 30 of the 90 seats.

Votes are also being cast in Calderdale, where 17 of the 51 seats are up for election, in Kirklees, with 23 of the 69 council seats being contested, and Wakefield, where 21 of the 63 seats are available.