Find out the latest information and updates about this year’s local election as and when it comes in.
Fun facts!
- There are 15 wards in North East Lincolnshire with one councillor up for a election in each
- Across the borough, there are 97 polling stations which all close at 10pm
- The election count is being held at Grimsby Auditorium – opened in 1995, it can house over 2,000 standing guests
What happens at an election count?
- Postal ballot and other boxes are returned from polling stations to the auditorium.
- Staff verify the number of ballot papers matches the number of papers issued. The returning officer then issues a statement showing how many ballot papers have been received against how many ballot papers were expected. Counting cannot begin until this has been completed.
- Counting then begins and ballot papers are sorted by candidates. The returning officer will share the provisional result with candidates at which point a recount can be requested.
Follow the live blog below with all the latest updates on this year’s election as and when things happen:
03:41
That concludes our 2026 local elections blog. Thank you for tuning in. For a full breakdown of the results, head over to Local elections | NELC
03:39
Wolds Ward – Reform Gain – Darren Mayne elected #le2026 #NELection #LocalElections
03:07
Heneage Ward – Reform UK Gain – Ingrid Oliver elected #le2026 #NELection #LocalElections
03:01
Yarborough Ward – Reform UK Gain – John Mills elected #le2026 #NELection #LocalElections
02:54
Scartho Ward – Reform UK Gain – Tony Charlesworth elected #le2026 #NELection #LocalElections
02:47
Humberston & New Waltham Ward – Reform UK Gain – Simon Taylor elected #le2026 #NELection #LocalElections
02:32
Immingham Ward – Reform UK Gain – Blake Russell elected #le2026 #NELection #LocalElections
02:22
Waltham Ward – Reform Gain – James Sawkins elected #le2026 #NELection #LocalElections
02:14
Haverstoe Ward – Reform UK Gain – Samuel Grice elected #le2026 #NELection #LocalElections
02:08
Park Ward – Reform UK Gain – Nige Oliver elected #le2026 #NELection #LocalElections
01:58
Croft Baker Ward – Reform UK Hold – Oliver Freeston re-elected #le2026 #NELection #LocalElections
01:50
Sidney Sussex Ward – Reform UK Gain – Bob Callison elected #le2026 #NELection #LocalElections
01:41
Freshney Ward – Reform UK Gain – Karen Batson elected #le2026 #NELection #LocalElections
01:29
South Ward – Reform UK Gain – Paul Batson elected #le2026 #NELection #LocalElections
01:11
East Marsh Ward– Liberal Democrat Hold– Steve Beasant re-elected #le2026 #NELection #LocalElections
01:07
West Marsh Ward – Reform UK Gain – Tanya Brasted elected #le2026 #NELection #LocalElections
00:50
And now everyone is up and running! Heneage Ward is off!
00:44
Next on the list is Scartho and Yarbrough wards!
00:35
Don’t forget, for all the official figures and counts when they come in – head over to our Local Elections page by visiting Local elections | NELC
00:27
And just like that, we’ve got a football team! Waltham Ward has counted and makes it 11!
00:26
Wolds Ward rings through as the tenth ward to get started with the paper and pegs – that’s two thirds underway!
00:23
We’re off again with Sidney Sussex now on with counting
00:21
And just like that over half the wards are now counting – Haverstoe Ward has commenced!
00:19
The count for Humberston and New Waltham is now underway too! That’s pretty much half the wards counting now!
00:12
The count for Croft Baker is now underway
00:05
Park Ward and Immingham Ward have joined the mix and begin the count!
00:01
The count has commenced for Freshney Ward and South Ward.
23:44
It’s like buses here! East Marsh count is now commencing
23:42
And they’re off! The coloured pegs are out and the fingers are flicking – the West Marsh count has begun
23:32
Some of the verifying has come to a conclusion and the counters have gone for a break – and rightly so! After a quick trip to the loo, a drink and something to eat they’ll be back to their seats getting prepped for the main event!
23:21
Whilst the hustle and bustle continues, now is a good time to say thank you to all those staff who have manned the polling stations all day – between 350 and 400 of them! Now it’s over to the 130 or so staff pulling an all nighter to count your votes!
23:02
Well, we’re nearly at witching hour and some wards have finished verification. When verification is finished and the Returning Officer is ready the count will begin!
22:30
And they just keep coming! It’s like an exam hall in here with the sound of paper flicking back and forth as the votes continue to be verified
22:16
A number of ballot boxes are coming through the doors with plenty going on after just a quarter of an hour since the polling stations closed
22:08
And they’re off! Postal vote verification has begun!
22:06
Voting over and ballot boxes are already coming in! Freshney is the first one back, lighting fast speed from that polling station!
21:57
“we take our time, follow the processes, and do it right” – Sharon Wroot, Chief Executive of North East Lincolnshire Council and Returning Officer addresses the Team Leaders and Count Leaders
21:49
And the count leaders are in now too – it’s getting busy in here!
21:35
For all the latest results as and when they come in, you’ll need to head over to a different page – https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/your-council/elections-and-voting/election-dates-and-results/local-elections/
21:33
Team leaders receive their briefing ahead of this evenings count – less than half an hour left to cast your vote
21:16
Less than an hour to get your vote in at the relevant polling station. Don’t forget to bring your photo ID with you to vote!
20:56
The auditorium is preparing for the count with tables, chairs and coloured pegs set out ready for the count!
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