THE candidates have knocked on doors, sent out leaflets and done the rounds on the radio shows.

Now all that is left to do is sit back and wait.

After seven long weeks, the campaign is over and it is up to voters to decide who Swindon will send to Westminster for the next five years.

Swindon has seen an additional 14,000 voter registration applications since the General Election was announced on April 18.

That brings the total number of eligible voters across the two constituencies to 152,583.

Of those, some 30,000 registered for a postal vote in advance and have been mailing in their ballot ahead of polling day itself.

When the Prime Minister emerged onto the steps of Downing Street to call a snap election it took everyone by surprise. Most commentators thought that when the deadline for holding a national poll on the same day as the local elections passed it was a firm sign that Mrs May had decided against going to the country this year.

The decision to call one anyway caught journalists and candidates off guard and had parties racing to put together manifestos and campaign material.

But elections aren’t just about the press and the politicians.

A huge effort goes into ensuring that the voter registration and voting operation goes according to plan.

For Swindon Borough Council’s Electoral Services team, 2017 was supposed to be a quiet year.

With no borough elections until next year and only parish polls to deal with, it was a time to regroup and prepare for the years ahead.

But Theresa May had other plans and it has taken a mammoth effort from the council team, including working at weekends and into the night, to be ready for today.

Sally Sprason, Swindon Borough Council’s electoral services manager, said: “Since the General Election was announced we have pulled out all the stops to ensure the day runs like clockwork.

“It is a big operation and we have hundreds of staff and volunteers who will perform various roles throughout the day – it is a huge team effort.

“Voter turn-out for the last General Election was about 65 per cent and it would be great if we could beat that figure this time around.”

Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm all across the town today. Voters don’t need to take their polling cards and children are welcome to go along with their parents.

Most people should have received their polling cards in the post with the address of their polling station – if not the information is available at www.swindon.gov.uk/forthcomingelections

Some 590 members of staff will man the polling stations during the day.

When the polls close at 10pm, 102 ballot boxes will be conveyed to the Oasis where a team of 200 count staff will be ready to tally up the votes.

The result for North Swindon is likely to be declared first – probably between 11.30pm and midnight. South Swindon’s result is expected at around 1am.

  • Follow our online coverage later with a live blog bringing you the results as we get them