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<\/picture><\/span>PA Media<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nThe polls for more than 8,000 council seats on 230 councils, and four mayors, across England have closed.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Millions of votes will now be counted in the first big test of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s electoral popularity. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Some people were unable to cast their vote due to new rules requiring voters to show photo ID, the Electoral Commission has confirmed. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The first results are expected just after midnight on Friday morning, with 65 councils counting overnight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The last time these seats were up for election in 2019, the Conservative Party had its worst results in a generation in traditional heartlands. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Results will continue to be declared throughout Friday, including for the four mayoral contests in Bedford, Leicester, Mansfield and Middlesbrough.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The first result is expected to come at around 00:30 BST from Hartlepool, which is in no overall control and a target for both Labour and the Conservatives. Sunderland is also expected to announce early, providing a measure of Labour’s popularity in one of its traditional heartlands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The final result is forecast to be declared at around 20:00 BST, although this could be later depending on factors such as recounts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Elections are not taking place in London, Scotland or Wales.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n