Voters across Kent go to the polls today (Thursday) to elect the next Kent Police and Crime Commissioner, while two borough councils are also being contested.

There are full council elections in both Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells after boundary changes.

In Maidstone, the number of councillors is being reduced from 55 to 49, while in Tunbridge Wells the number of councillors is being reduced from 48 to 39.

Both councils previously elected their members one-third at a time.

In Maidstone, the borough council is currently in no overall control, but the Conservatives have formed the administration with support from some of the Independents.

Going into the polls, they are the largest party.

The Conservatives currently have 25 seats, Lib Dems 12, Independents 6, Green Independent Alliance 6, Labour 4, and Fant and Oakwood Independents 2.

Councillors elected today will serve for four years, as the council has decided to keep all-in elections in future.

In Tunbridge Wells, there is also no overall control, and the cabinet is a coalition comprised of Lib Dem, Labour and Tunbridge Wells Alliance members.

Of the 48 seats, the Lib Dems have 17, Conservatives 11, Tunbridge Wells Alliance 9, Labour 7, Independents for Tunbridge Wells 2, and other Independents 2.

Those elected today will serve for either two, three or four years, according to a pre-arranged schedule, as the council intends to return to elections by thirds, with the next election coming in 2026.

There are no borough council elections today in Ashford, Canterbury, Dartford, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe, Gravesham, Sevenoaks, Swale, Thanet or Tonbridge and Malling.

And no local elections for either the Medway Unitary Authority or Kent Council Council.

However, voters in all those districts will still be able to go to the polls to vote for the Police and Crime Commissioner.

In addition, there are two local Neighbourhood Plan Referendums taking place: one for the Pluckley area in Ashford, and one for the Arches (Chatham) area in Medway, where voters will be asked whether they accept the proposed Neighbourhood Plans or not.

Voting across all districts is between 7am and 10pm.

Since 2023 changes to legislation, voters must take some form of official photo ID with them to the polling booth.

Accepted forms of ID include a UK or Commonwealth passport, a photo driving licence, a Blue Badge, an Older Person’s Bus Pass, a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass or an Oyster 60+ Card.

For a complete list, visit here.

A gym membership card is not sufficient.

Counting in the borough elections is not taking place until tomorrow, Friday.

Results for the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells elections are expected around 3pm.

Counting for the Police and Crime Commissioner is not taking place until Sunday and will be done centrally at Gravesend, with results expected around 4pm.