Counting underway as exit polls predict Tories will be largest party

By: KentOnline reporter multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 22:01, 07 May 2015

Polling booths across the UK have closed with exit polls predicting the Tories will be the largest party, gaining nine seats.

Reports suggest a very high turn-out, although what was predicted to be the closest election in decades has been turned on its head by what pundits have described as a 'sensational' predicted result.

KentOnline will be bringing you coverage throughout the night, with the first result from the county predicted to be Canterbury at 2am followed by Sittingbourne and Sheppey an hour later.

A polling station in Maidstone

The polls put the Tories on a predicted 316 seats, Labour on 239 and the Lib Dems facing a near wipe-out with 10 seats.

The SNP are predicted to gain 58 seats with Ukip and Greens both on two seats.

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The Ukip prediction has particular implications in Kent as it means either Nigel Farage will lose his bid in South Thanet, Mark Reckless will lose his seat in Rochester and Strood or Douglas Carswell will be ousted in Clacton, Essex.

There was late drama tonight with allegations in South Thanet of voter intimidation.

Reports claimed that activists claiming to be Ukip supporters in the party’s key target seat had been verbally abusing voters.

Supporters aligning themselves to the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, were accused of pressuring people as they approached polling stations, and swearing at those who said they would not vote for the party.

A spokesman for the local branch of the Labour party said groups of up to a dozen people had been shouting at voters on their way in and telling them to support Ukip.

He added supporters had recorded incidents at four polling stations, including a church, in Broadstairs and Margate.

Nigel Farage after casting his vote in Ramsgate at the last election

Will Scobie with his family voting in Cliftonville

Conservative candidate Craig Mackinlay arrives to vote in Ramsgate with his wife Kati

Mr Farage denied that any of his party’s officials would have been involved in such behaviour but said he could not be held responsible for the actions of unknown people claiming to be from Ukip.

Labour supporters, in turn, were accused by Ukip of destroying posters.

The Ukip leader was among the first to vote today, entering a polling booth in Ramsgate at 7am to do his civic duty.

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He tweeted a picture, with the caption: "I can't tell you who I voted for! #VoteUKIP #GE2015 #IVoted"

His Labour rival Will Scobie was also pictured casting his vote with his family in Broadstairs.

Fellow South Thanet candidate Craig Mackinlay, for the Conservatives, did the same at 11am.

For all the latest election results as they happen revisit this site throughout the night.

We will have a team of photographers and reporters covering all the counts - using Twitter, Facebook and this website to give you all the election news you need to know.

Ballot boxes and papers before an election. Stock image

People attend Borstal Village Hall to cast their vote

Voters turn out in Sandwich to do their civic duty

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Here is when the results are expected in your constituency:

Canterbury - 2am

Sittingbourne & Sheppey - 3am

Dover - 3.30am

Folkestone and Hythe - 4am

Dartford - 4am