The 2024 General Election is now upon us, with millions of people set to head to the polls on Thursday, July 4.

Rishi Sunak will be hoping to maintain a majority for the Conservative Party in government, whilst Keir Starmer is looking to get Labour into power for the first time in 14 years.

There is a lot at stake for many in the world of UK politics, and many people will want to have their say on who they want to elect.

Some people might also be keen to know when the polls shut so that they can get their vote in on time.

What time do polls close today?

The polls will be open from 7am to 10pm today for those voting in person, with the counting of votes beginning as soon as they close.

BBC News adds that if there is a queue to get into the polling station, you can still vote, as long as you joined it before 10pm.

Do I need ID to vote?

People will need a valid photo ID to vote in the general election

The 22 forms of acceptable ID to vote in England, Scotland and Wales include:

  • UK or EU passports
  • driving licence photo cards
  • older or disabled person's bus passes
  • Scottish National Entitlement Cards

Meanwhile, there are nine acceptable forms of ID, to vote in Northern Ireland, including:

  • passports
  • driving licences
  • senior travel passes
  • war disablement passes

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Once you are inside the polling station you cannot take selfies, as the Electoral Commission says it risks the secrecy of the ballot.

BBC News adds that the punishment for revealing how someone else voted, even accidentally, is a fine of up to £5,000, or six months in prison.

Additionally, political discussion is banned inside polling stations, and staff will intervene if they hear any references to candidates or parties.

Away from the polling stations, Ofcom, which regulates broadcasters in the UK, says “discussion and analysis of election and referendum issues must finish when the poll opens” in its election guidance.

This means they cannot broadcast any political speeches or interviews from 7am to 10pm.

Campaigning is still allowed on election day, but it cannot be transmitted on TV or radio.

Any TV or radio speeches posted to social media are likely to have taken place beforehand.

Broadcasters are allowed to report on the more procedural aspects of the day – and party leaders and politicians are often filmed going to vote at their polling station.

Ofcom’s guidance also says “broadcasters may not publish the results of any opinion poll on polling day itself until the election or referendum poll closes”.

Most broadcasters will announce the results of their 'exit polls' - surveys carried out across the country with voters after they have left the polling station, predicting the national outcome - as soon as the polls close at 10pm.

It is a criminal offence to publish an exit poll or survey when polls are open – meaning any new polling data published on social media before then will not be trustworthy.

Individual constituency results are expected from 11.30pm onwards.