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When is the 2019 general election and when will we know the results?

Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party has been slowly closing in on the Conservative Party in the polls. - Getty Images Europe
Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party has been slowly closing in on the Conservative Party in the polls. - Getty Images Europe

The December general election is just over a week away, after the chaotic Brexit negotiations in Westminster led MPs to back Boris Johnson's call for a vote on Oct 29.

Since Parliament was officially dissolved on Nov 6, the UK political parties have been preparing for the upcoming election, with candidates promoting their campaigns, pledges and promises across the country.

When is the general election?

The UK general election is set to take place on Dec 12. While most of us wouldn't typically associate the final month of the year with political votes, back in the early 20th century, three general elections took place in December 1910, 1918 and 1923.

What time do polling stations open and close?

On polling day voting centres will operate from 7am until 10pm.

How do I vote in the general election?

Firstly, you need to be registered to vote, which is done via the GOV.UK website. The deadline to register was midnight on Tuesday Nov 26. If you missed the deadline, you will not be able to vote in this year's general election.

The deadline to apply for a postal vote was 5pm on Nov 26. If you are registered to vote by post, your Electoral Office must receive it by 10pm on Dec 12.

If you can't get to your polling station and you'd like someone to vote on your behalf, apply for a proxy vote by 5pm on Dec 4.

Head here for more information on postal votes and proxy votes.

To cast your vote in person, simply head to the local voting centre listed on your polling card.

Who are the candidates standing in my constituency?

To find out who is running for the election in your local area, visit the Who Can I Vote For? website.

Who should I vote for?

For a breakdown on what each party has pledged to do on issues including tax, the environment, work, education and healthcare, head to our manifesto summary here.

Tactical voting has become a big talking point in this election. If you're unsure who to vote for, try our interactive tool to get a clearer idea of whether voting tactically could affect your constituency.

What do the latest polls say?

The last few weeks have seen a gradual strengthening of the Conservatives' position in the polls while Labour's average rating has stayed flat and kept them a distant second place, just a few points ahead of the Liberal Democrats.

Still, Theresa May's Conservatives held a 10-point lead at the start of the 2017 election campaign which quickly evaporated as Jeremy Corbyn surged in the polls. You can stay up to date with the Telegraph's general election odds and poll tracker here.

Why did Boris Johnson call a general election?

The Prime Minister wants a general election because he feels a new Parliament is needed in order to break the political impasse over Brexit and hopes going to the polls will secure him a working majority. With Mr Johnson presenting himself as the politician who can “get Brexit done”, he hopes to be more popular with leave voters who see Labour and the Liberal Democrats as offering another delay to Brexit.

How will this general election affect Brexit?

When Theresa May called a snap election in 2017 it cost her her majority and saw the Tories join forces with the DUP in a confidence-and-supply agreement.

Boris Johnson seems to be confident that by calling an election he can win back a Tory majority and successfully get his Brexit deal over the line due to the support he has around him.

You can read more about what each party has said about their Brexit policy here.

When will we know the results?

After polling stations close at 10pm, the votes will be counted in two stages. This process typically ends around 2am, with the winner to be announced shortly after, in the early hours of the morning.